Short-Handed Timberwolves Lean on Depth Against Bucks

By NBA Stat Desk How we produce articles

Minnesota's adjusted lineup gets another test at home against Milwaukee.

MIL @ MIN Nov 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC

Minnesota hosts Milwaukee without its biggest offensive weapon. Anthony Edwards is expected to miss up to two months after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. That removes the Timberwolves' top scorer and forces the rest of the roster to absorb his role for an extended stretch. Donte DiVincenzo is also out following right Achilles tendon surgery, so the rotation is thinner than Minnesota would like.

The Timberwolves have a working structure, though. In the two games without Edwards, they have started Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Rudy Gobert, LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. That group gives them defensive size and length, plus Ball as the lead playmaker. The big question is Gobert, who is questionable with low back spasms. If he plays, Minnesota keeps its anchor for interior defense and rebounding. If he sits, the paint and the glass become the clearest pressure points for the home team.

The bench should help. Bones Hyland, Terrence Shannon Jr., Joan Beringer, Trey Lyles and Jaylen Clark were the top reserves, and each played more than 16 minutes on Friday. That shows Minnesota is leaning on a defined second unit rather than improvising from night to night. The Timberwolves are also 4-2, and their win over the Clippers followed back-to-back losses, a sign they can steady themselves after a rough stretch.

The supplied information is almost entirely about Minnesota's side, so this projection rests on how well the Wolves have adapted at home. Without Edwards, the game could be close and decided by whether Minnesota's starters and reserves can keep up their rhythm. I give the Timberwolves a narrow edge. Prediction: Timberwolves 112, Bucks 108.

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