The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a severe blow on Thursday, when it was introduced that star massive man Karl-Anthony Cities could be out indefinitely with a torn meniscus. Apart from in the course of the playoffs themselves, the information couldn’t have come at a lot of a worse time, because the Wolves are clinging to the Western Convention lead that they’ve held all season lengthy with simply 20 video games left to play.
Timberwolves Clinging To #1 Spot In The West
Simply in: Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Cities has been identified with a torn meniscus in his left knee and is out indefinitely, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/JlPe73PnN9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2024
How will the group carry out with out Cities down the stretch, and the way will their playoff probabilities and seeding be affected?
Cities is Minnesota’s second main scorer this season, and is without doubt one of the three items which might be key to the group’s success this yr. He’s been sturdy as properly, lacking simply two of the group’s first 62 video games of the common season, and was named an All-Star for the fourth time in his profession.
The Timberwolves will definitely miss having him on the ground, and it’s unlikely that they’ll be capable to hold their spot atop the West in his absence. They rank eleventh within the NBA when it comes to hardest remaining schedules, together with three video games towards the Denver Nuggets, with whom they’re presently battling for supremacy within the convention. They’ll play two every towards the Cavaliers and Suns as properly, and one towards every of the Warriors and Clippers.
Solely A Collapse Would Put Them Outdoors Of The Prime-6
The Brutal Luck Of Minnesota Sports activities Followers Continues After Karl-Anthony Cities Tears His Meniscus And Is Out Indefinitely pic.twitter.com/fo6iorJ4LH
— Barstool Sports activities (@barstoolsports) March 7, 2024
If Anthony Edwards is ready to elevate his recreation even additional, and position gamers can step up, then there’s loads of motive to consider that the Timberwolves will stay within the top-4. The #1 spot within the West presently has a 6-game lead on the fifth place Pelicans, and a 7.5 recreation lead on the seventh seed and first group out when it comes to having to play within the Play-In Event.
It will require an epic collapse from Minnesota to drop that far within the standings, however the recipe could also be excellent. The group has been questioned all season lengthy about how lengthy they’d be capable to keep within the combine with the championship contenders, and Cities’ damage may very well be the way in which that the group lastly crumbles.
The Timberwolves are in motion on Thursday evening towards the Indiana Pacers. They entered the sport as 1.5 level underdogs.
