Minnesota Sports Forum

The Wolves travel to Dallas to play the Mavericks. Injuries have torpedoed the Mavs' season, and they have been out of the playoffs race for weeks. But while they have lost 5 of their last 6, they aren't acting like the other tanking teams...they beat Portland Friday night, and their three most recent losses were by single digits. That fact and the uncertainty about availability of some key Wolves players has us favored by only 6 1/2 points over a team that is 24-50 on the season.

Jaden McDaniels will be out again with knee tendinitis, but all signs point to Ant and Ayo returning. I don't think this is a good idea, unless our medical staff feels comfortable they are completely ready to go. We are going to need both of them for the playoffs, so my preference would be to rest them for a few more days. But I admit that my preference has a lot to do with my preferring that we play the Lakers in a 3/6 matchup...just like last year. I'm favoring health over wins right now. But I expect Ant and Ayo to play, and we should win this one if they do. The beaten up Mavs just aren't very good, ranking 26th in offensive rating and 18th in defensive rating.

If Ayo and Ant both return, it will be interesting to see who Finchy decides to start. I suspect he moves Mike out of the rotation and starts TJ in place of Jaden...we're too small if he starts Donte, Ant and Ayo, and I think he likes the scoring Ayo, Bones and Naz can provide off the bench. Of course we need Naz to bounce back from the terrible game he played Saturday.

How long is Jaden expected to be out?

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:56 pm How long is Jaden expected to be out?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:05 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:56 pm How long is Jaden expected to be out?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Bummer. We'll see who gets the opportunity in the starting lineup, and what players soak up most of Jaden's minutes. Guesses on the starting role? Ayo? Mike? SloMo? NAZ? Shannon? All sorts of possibilities!

Yeah Shannon has had a bit of a spark these last few games. It would be nice to see him and Clark get back to providing some energy in Jaden's absence and see a role for themselves where they can actually contribute to this team. Both have had disappointing seasons so far based on where they left off last year.

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:25 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:05 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:56 pm How long is Jaden expected to be out?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Bummer. We'll see who gets the opportunity in the starting lineup, and what players soak up most of Jaden's minutes. Guesses on the starting role? Ayo? Mike? SloMo? NAZ? Shannon? All sorts of possibilities!

Yeah, "week to week" is not good news given Jaden originally said he was going to be fine for the Detroit game. I suggested above that Shannon gets the start tonight, but we'll have to see.

Just to clarify my thread title, of course winning always matters. I'm just saying that at this point in the season, staying healthy is a much higher priority for me than winning...we're in no danger at all of dropping into the play in, and I'm more than fine with finishing 6th. The worst idea though would be to play Ant tonight because he wants to get his 65 games in. I'm guessing he is going to lobby the coaches to play, and the brain trust needs to make the decision. Finchy needs to ask him if he's sure he's okay to play. If (when) Ant says yes, Finchy needs to say "okay, but the minute I see you not hustling on defense, I'm going to assume it's because of your knee and put y'ass back on the bench".

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:34 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:25 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:05 pm

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) conducted by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine on McDaniels revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. McDaniels will be listed as week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Bummer. We'll see who gets the opportunity in the starting lineup, and what players soak up most of Jaden's minutes. Guesses on the starting role? Ayo? Mike? SloMo? NAZ? Shannon? All sorts of possibilities!

Yeah, "week to week" is not good news given Jaden originally said he was going to be fine for the Detroit game. I suggested above that Shannon gets the start tonight, but we'll have to see.

Just to clarify my thread title, of course winning always matters. I'm just saying that at this point in the season, staying healthy is a much higher priority for me than winning...we're in no danger at all of dropping into the play in, and I'm more than fine with finishing 6th. The worst idea though would be to play Ant tonight because he wants to get his 65 games in. I'm guessing he is going to lobby the coaches to play, and the brain trust needs to make the decision. Finchy needs to ask him if he's sure he's okay to play. If (when) Ant says yes, Finchy needs to say "okay, but the minute I see you not hustling on defense, I'm going to assume it's because of your knee and put y'ass back on the bench".

Yeah. But that's just not how the NBA works.

If the guy making $200M over the next 4 years wants an All NBA nod so he can make even more with his next contract... that's what's going to happen.

If Ant is healthy then he's fine to play. I'd limit his minutes though a bit down the stretch and especially now coming back. While I'd knock his minutes down slightly, hopefully he can play with more intensity during those minutes and build up his stamina. Just knock about 4-5 off his normal, hoping for less wear and tear and less injury risk.

I guess it's a balance between rust and risk, you don't want to go into the playoffs rusty or hampered.

AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:55 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:34 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:25 pm

Bummer. We'll see who gets the opportunity in the starting lineup, and what players soak up most of Jaden's minutes. Guesses on the starting role? Ayo? Mike? SloMo? NAZ? Shannon? All sorts of possibilities!

Yeah, "week to week" is not good news given Jaden originally said he was going to be fine for the Detroit game. I suggested above that Shannon gets the start tonight, but we'll have to see.

Just to clarify my thread title, of course winning always matters. I'm just saying that at this point in the season, staying healthy is a much higher priority for me than winning...we're in no danger at all of dropping into the play in, and I'm more than fine with finishing 6th. The worst idea though would be to play Ant tonight because he wants to get his 65 games in. I'm guessing he is going to lobby the coaches to play, and the brain trust needs to make the decision. Finchy needs to ask him if he's sure he's okay to play. If (when) Ant says yes, Finchy needs to say "okay, but the minute I see you not hustling on defense, I'm going to assume it's because of your knee and put y'ass back on the bench".

Yeah. But that's just not how the NBA works.

If the guy making $200M over the next 4 years wants an All NBA nod so he can make even more with his next contract... that's what's going to happen.

Yeah, maybe. Although I'm not sure it would be the same with all coaches. I rather doubt a tougher coach like Pop or Malone would allow a player to play if he thought a further injury might hurt the team's chances. I suspect Ant will play, and we'll see the same kind of half-assed effort on defense we have grown accustomed to, especially if his knee is still bothering him. I'd love to be proven wrong though either by Ant sitting out one more game or by him playing the defense I think he is capable of.

Offsetting the bad news on Jaden is some positive news on Ayo. He's off the injury list, and the line went up a point to -7 1/2. Still no definitive word on Ant.