The opening weeks of the NBA season have been marred by a sudden and severe wave of injuries to marquee players, a trend that reached a new peak Wednesday with the news that Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards will undergo knee surgery. The four-time All-Star is expected to be sidelined for up to two months following an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.
The loss of Edwards is a staggering blow to a Timberwolves squad that had started the season with a 3-1 record. Edwards had been playing some of the most efficient basketball of his career, averaging 33.3 points per game while building early chemistry with new roster additions LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. His absence leaves a significant void for a team that recently utilized Edwards’ high-octane scoring to eliminate the Golden State Warriors during the 2025 postseason.
Edwards is far from the only high-profile casualty in what is becoming a league-wide health crisis. His name now joins a growing list of stars forced to the sidelines in just the first week of play, including Paolo Banchero, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jalen Suggs. Other emerging talents such as Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Duren have also sustained serious injuries, forcing teams across both conferences to reach deep into their rotations much earlier than anticipated.
Across the court from Minnesota, the Golden State Warriors are facing their own injury uncertainty regarding breakout rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The star newcomer appeared on the official injury report as questionable for Wednesday’s 5 p.m. PT tip-off due to inflammation in his left foot. Lendeborg was observed limping following the Warriors’ recent victory over the Denver Nuggets and later explained that the injury was the result of an awkward moment on the court where he stepped on his own foot.
Lendeborg described the area as tender but remained optimistic that the Warriors’ medical staff did not view the inflammation as a long-term concern. Despite the minor nature of the incident, any missed time for the rookie would be significant given his historic start. Through four games, Lendeborg has recorded 87 points, the highest total for a Warriors rookie since Wilt Chamberlain scored 150 in 1959. His aggression at the rim has also drawn comparisons to Stephen Curry; Lendeborg’s 13 free-throw attempts on Monday were the most by a Golden State rookie since Curry’s 40-point finale in 2010.
For Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Lendeborg’s availability is a tactical necessity. The roster features several aging veterans, including Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford, who require strict load management throughout the season. Consequently, Kerr has relied heavily on the rookie to carry the physical load. Lendeborg currently leads the team in total minutes with 133, significantly higher than Gui Santos, who sits in second at 96 minutes.
Beyond his statistical output, Lendeborg has quickly become a focal point of the Warriors’ culture, earning praise from veterans for his willingness to act as a “sponge” during film sessions and practices. His candid personality has also made him a favorite among the fanbase. If both he and Edwards are unable to suit up, Wednesday’s contest will be deprived of two of the league’s most captivating young personalities. For now, Minnesota must prepare for a long stretch without their primary scorer, while Golden State waits to see if their most productive rookie in decades can overcome a flare-up in time for the game.
