Minnesota has more problems with COVID-19

Like Minnesota Timberwolves seems to be starting to build steam in the Western Conference, the team got a bunch of bad news. After protecting the star Anthony Edwards Joins NBA’s COVID-19 Protocol over the weekend, two other T-Wolves players are set to follow suit. Both Jarred Vanderbilt and Patrick Beverley are the latest Wolves players to join the COVID-19 health and safety protocol. each Shams Charania.

Minnesota’s Jarred Vanderbilt and Patrick Beverley joined COVID-19 health and safety protocols, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium.

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 20, 2021

This is a huge loss for the Timberwolves, the team that, despite a bad start to the season, have found their footing and are currently 15-15th and right at the heart of the game. playoff race.

The loss of Edwards is significant, as he is the team’s second-highest scorer and one of their main sources of energy. Replacing him for nearly 36 minutes a night will be a challenge, especially with Beverley no longer an option to pick up some slack.

This season, Beverley has averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game for 26.5 minutes per night, playing a key role in Minnesota’s rotation. He’s primarily acted as a backup serveer for D’Angelo Russell, but won’t be available for the next few games at least as long as he’s on league protocols.

Vanderbilt was an equally important contributor to the Timberwolves’ rotation, averaging 24.8 minutes per night, with 6.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Both Vanderbilt and Beverley represent important defensive options for the Wolves, so their presence will be greatly missed, especially once Edwards is on the shelves.

The Timberwolves will be playing Tuesday night with Dallas Mavericksand again on Thursday on the road against Utah Jazz.