On October 28, 2026, Anthony Edwards was announced to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, sidelining him for up to two months after he played 41 minutes and scored 47 points in an overtime loss to Cleveland on October 26. The same day, he was no longer listed in current MVP odds. Tim Connelly later said a Tuesday MRI showed something in Edwards' knee not seen before, prompting Thursday surgery. The discussion turns on whether Minnesota's guard depth and defensive baseline can keep the Timberwolves afloat without him, and on what the absence does to a season that had opened with him in the award conversation.