In Thursday’s preparation, the Timberwolves lost in overtime to the Knicks. That wasn’t the only thing they lost, however, as a player left with an injury. Jaden McDaniels left the game in the third quarter with a left ankle injury.
An update provided Saturday allowed Minnesota fans to breathe a sigh of relief. They now know that McDaniels’ injury does not appear to be serious as the regular season opener quickly approaches.
Jaden McDaniels’ ankle injury does not appear to be a problem
On Saturday, head coach Chris Finch spoke with some media members. When asked about McDaniels and his ankle, Finch said there may have been a little tenderness, but the 25-year-old experienced it all on Saturday.
Chris Finch with an injury update on Jaden McDaniel’s ankle
“Fine. I think it’s a bit of tenderness, but he’s been through everything today.” pic.twitter.com/Ea9EEs66Vo
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) October 11, 2025
With the regular season opener just ten days away, the Timberwolves certainly hope to be at full strength heading into the game against the Trail Blazers. It doesn’t appear there is any fear that McDaniels might have to sit out.
Whether the 6-foot-4 forward misses any of their final three preseason games remains to be seen. Their next match is Monday against the Guangzhou Loong Lions of China. Maybe McDaniels will delay that, even if it’s just as a precaution. That will be their final home game for the season, as the last two are away from home on Thursday against the Bulls and on Friday against the 76ers.
Career-high scoring season in 2024-2025
Entering his sixth season, McDaniels isn’t missing many games for the Timberwolves. In fact, he didn’t even miss one in 2024-2025. He was just one of 11 players to play in all 82 games last season. McDaniels only missed a total of thirteen games over the previous two years.
McDaniels was the 28th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and averaged a career-high 12.2 points for Minnesota in 2024-25. Best known for his work on defense, McDaniels made the 2023-2024 All-Defensive Second Team and just missed repeating the feat last year. He is in the second year of the five-year, $131 million rookie extension he signed just before the start of the 2023-2024 season.
While he’s clearly not the top choice when it comes to playing offense for a team with Anthony Edwards, McDaniels may be Minnesota’s best finisher at the perimeter. He shot 73% at the rim last season and is at 74% for his career.
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