LaMelo Ball and Jaden McDaniels Lead the Timberwolves' First Win Without Anthony Edwards: Who to Trust in Minnesota's New Rotation

The Minnesota Timberwolves won their first game without Anthony Edwards on Friday, routing the Los Angeles Clippers 127-101 in NBA Cup group play. LaMelo Ball scored a season-high 24 points, Jaden McDaniels added 23 on 11-of-15 shooting with seven assists and six rebounds, and Rudy Gobert controlled the glass with 13 rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

It was the first look at how Minnesota plans to play while Edwards recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, a procedure expected to sideline him for up to two months. For fantasy managers who have been waiting to see whose value rises, the answer after one game is: more than one player.

The box score that matters

Here is how the key Timberwolves performed in the first game of the post-Edwards stretch.

Minnesota improved to 4-2, and all four of its wins have come by more than 20 points. The Clippers dropped to 1-4 with their fourth straight loss; Darius Garland led them with 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting, and Brook Lopez added 13 off the bench.

LaMelo Ball: the usage is there

Ball arrived in Minnesota this offseason to share the backcourt with Edwards. Without him, the offense runs through Ball's hands for longer stretches, and Friday's season high was the first sign that his scoring will rise to match. His fantasy value has always been driven by volume across points, threes and assists, and the extra possessions make him a top-tier guard during Edwards' absence.

The caution is efficiency. Ball's game has historically come with a high turnover rate and streaky shooting, and opposing defenses will now focus their best perimeter defender on him. In category leagues, expect strong counting stats with some damage in field-goal percentage and turnovers. In points leagues, he is a must-start.

Jaden McDaniels is the breakout candidate

McDaniels' line was the most interesting of the night. Twenty-three points on 15 shots is the kind of efficiency that does not usually come from a defensive specialist, and seven assists suggests Minnesota is asking him to make plays, not just finish them. Earlier this offseason, the Timberwolves committed to him with a contract extension, and they appear ready to expand his role.

Fantasy read: McDaniels has been a deep-league asset for most of his career because his contributions came in steals, blocks and efficiency rather than volume. If his shot attempts and assists hold near this level, he becomes a weekly starter in standard leagues for the next two months. He is the top waiver priority out of Minnesota if he is still available in your league.

Ayo Dosunmu and the bench

Dosunmu's 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench reinforce what we flagged when Edwards' surgery was announced: he is the main beneficiary of the extra guard minutes. He offers a balanced stat line and enough scoring to be a streaming option in standard leagues and a hold in deeper formats. His minutes are the number to watch over the next week.

Rudy Gobert stays steady

Gobert's role does not change much without Edwards. Thirteen rebounds, four assists and a block is a typical stat line, and coach Chris Finch praised him for making the right plays. He remains a reliable source of rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage, and his value may even tick up slightly as Ball and McDaniels look for him more in the pick-and-roll.

The Clippers' slide

The other side of the box score is a concern. Los Angeles has lost four straight, and Garland's 24 points came on volume rather than efficiency. For fantasy, Garland is a volume scorer on a struggling team, which keeps his counting stats strong even in losses. The Clippers' broader issues are a reason to be cautious about their role players, whose minutes may shift as the team searches for answers.

The betting angle

A 26-point win in the first game without Edwards suggests the market may be overcorrecting on Minnesota. When a team loses its best player, lines typically shift sharply, and the Timberwolves' depth (Ball, McDaniels, Gobert and Dosunmu) gives them a stronger floor than a one-star roster. One game is a small sample, but the early evidence is that Minnesota remains competitive. For the model's daily view, see the NBA picks at /blog/nba-picks-2026-10-31 and the live board at /nba/predictions.

What to do in your league

Must-start: LaMelo Ball for as long as Edwards is out.

Pick up: Jaden McDaniels in standard leagues if he is available. His role has clearly expanded.

Stream or hold: Ayo Dosunmu, depending on league depth.

No change: Rudy Gobert remains a steady category contributor.

Edwards managers: hold him through the recovery. A two-month absence is painful in October, but a healthy Edwards in late December is still a difference-maker for the second half of the season and the fantasy playoffs.