The Timberwolves were again without forward Jaden McDaniels for a second consecutive preseason game Saturday as he is dealing with what the team is calling a minor left calf strain.
Timberwolves likely without Jaden McDaniels for rest of preseason
The forward is dealing with a left calf issue, but the hope is that he will be ready when the regular season begins.
October 15, 2023 at 4:40AM
McDaniels will be re-evaluated in approximately "a week and a half," the team said. McDaniels is around the team and rehabilitating his injury.
McDaniels could still play in the season opener against Toronto on Oct. 25, but this timeline means he likely won't play in any of the Wolves' upcoming preseason games. Nickeil-Alexander Walker earned the start in McDaniels' place for the Wolves' game at New York on Saturday, a 121-112 victory over the Knicks.
The Wolves are trying to sign McDaniels to a long-term contract extension before the season begins, and if they can't get a deal done by an Oct. 23 deadline, McDaniels could hit restricted free agency next summer.
The Wolves are no strangers to calf injuries, as both Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan McLaughlin missed significant time because of calf strains a season ago, but it appears McDaniels won't miss a large amount of time.
McDaniels is entering his fourth season and is the Wolves' best perimeter defender. His offensive output has increased in each of his three previous seasons and he averaged a career high 12.1 points per game last season and shot 40% from three-point range.
Wolves 121, New York 112
Naz Reid scored 22 points off the bench, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns each had 17 and Minnesota beat New York to improve to 3-0 in the preseason.
The Wolves were playing their first game in the U.S. after opening their preseason with two victories over the Dallas Mavericks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. They made 20 3-pointers, led by five from Reid and four from Towns.
RJ Barrett scored 23 points in 26 minutes for the Knicks, who fell to 1-1. Miles McBride had 16 points and Evan Fournier, who fell out of the rotation entirely last season, came off the bench for 15 points and three 3-pointers.
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