NBA Injury Roundup and Team Notes: McDaniels Sidelined, Alexander-Walker Surging, Magic Routed
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MINNEAPOLIS — Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels is out week-to-week after an MRI at Mayo Clinic revealed left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise, the club announced. Surgery is not anticipated, and a postseason return remains on the table, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
McDaniels, 23, has appeared in 71 games and is posting a career-best 14.8 points while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from deep. He had scored at least 16 points in five straight contests before missing Saturday’s defeat to Detroit. Minnesota enters the week tied for fifth in the Western Conference. Guard Ayo Dosunmu is nearing a comeback from a calf injury, and star guard Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable with a knee issue.
Hawks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate. The fourth-year guard is averaging 20.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists after logging 9.4 points per game in a smaller role last season.
“I always figured that the better player I would be, the better it would be for the team,” Alexander-Walker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Magic
The Orlando Magic suffered the worst defeat in franchise history Sunday, falling 139-87 to the Toronto Raptors. Orlando surrendered a 31-point run during the blowout.
“That’s on me,” head coach Jamahl Mosley said, per the Orlando Sentinel. “I’ve got to do a better job with this group to make sure they’re prepared in the right way, knowing exactly the sense of urgency that Toronto was going to play with — knowing the positioning that they were in for playoff positioning.”
Source: Hoops Wire
