Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will miss two weeks with a right hamstring strain, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Edwards suffered the injury in the first quarter Sunday against the Indiana Pacers and did not return to the contest. An MRI revealed the strain and he’ll be reevaluated in one week, according to the team.
The Timberwolves initially described the injury as hamstring tightness, and coach Chris Finch did not provide an update after Minnesota’s 114-110 victory.
Edwards converted a tough layup in traffic off a fast break after 3:07 elapsed in the game, taking hard contact before he looked for a foul call to no avail. The Pacers called timeout one second later, and Bones Hyland subbed in for Edwards during the break. The Timberwolves quickly announced he would not return.
“Of course we’re going to miss him, his ability to take over a game, put together runs, do all the special things that he can do. But we feel like we have a deep team, and this is when a deep team helps you,” Finch said Monday.
Veteran guard Mike Conley took Edwards’ spot in the lineup on Monday night against Denver, but he’s not expected to replace Edwards by himself.
“We don’t need anyone to try to step into his shoes exclusively,” Finch said. “You’ve got to do it by committee and everybody pitching in and opening opportunities for others. … Hopefully some guys can really find a groove right now and then the collective can carry us.”
A three-time All-Star who has just begun his sixth season, Edwards has played in 426 of a possible 445 games in his career, including the playoffs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
