Sunday’s regular-season finale between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans featured one of the strangest injuries of the year in the NBA sustained by Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
McDaniels was called for a loose ball foul with just 44.2 seconds remaining in the first quarter. This was his second foul early in the game, which made him extremely upset.
He then proceeded to lose his cool after being taken out of the game by head coach Chris Finch. McDaniels walked off furious to the locker room. punching a wall which appeared to hurt his hand significantly.
Now the T-Wolves’ Jaden McDaniels is out for the game after punching a wall and suffering a hand injury. 🏀🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/qlBu1Hfn61
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 9, 2023
This was the beginning of what was an extremely tumultuous game for the Timberwolves. Star center Rudy Gobert was captured later in the game throwing a punch at his teammate Kyle Anderson on the sidelines.
Rudy Gobert throws a punch at T-Wolves teammate Kyle Anderson. pic.twitter.com/KmI0JYhjSj
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 9, 2023
There are clearly some issues within the Minnesota locker room at the moment. Regardless, many began speculating about the extent of McDaniels’ injury.
It’s a nightmare for Minnesota today.
Jaden McDaniels is now out for the remainder of the game with a hand injury. 🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/EXWXNXDRBv
— Covers (@Covers) April 9, 2023
Jaden McDaniels punched a wall in the tunnel and is now done for the day, after Rudy Gobert got sent home for trying to strike Kyle Anderson in a huddle.
Wolves two best defenders let their frustration boil over and each took themselves out of the game.
Only the Timberwolves https://t.co/xg2LfoKcOP
— Canis Hoopus (@canishoopus) April 9, 2023
there is no way today is not a simulation.
Jaden McDaniels swings at the wall out of frustration and is now out for the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/orTlIiH6oK
— Shahbaz Khan (@ShahbazMKhan) April 9, 2023
After sending Rudy Gobert home for punching a teammate, Jaden McDaniels fractured his hand punching a wall.
Timberwolves are playoff ready. pic.twitter.com/MvZBMUqC2P
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 9, 2023
Jaden McDaniels fractured his hand punching a wall… after Rudy Gobert punched a teammate
The Timberwolves are self destructing
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) April 9, 2023
Despite this horrible turn of events between McDaniels’ injury and Gobert’s incident, they were still miraculously able to win the game over the Pelicans.
However, Mcdaniels’ lapse of judgment could absolutely come back to bite the Timberwolves as they prepare to play in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, McDaniels has been diagnosed with a broken right hand.
Timberwolves rising star Jaden McDaniels has suffered a broken right hand, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2023
This will likely rule him out for Minnesota’s postseason run regardless of how far they ultimately go, which is an absolutely horrible loss for them.
McDaniels is largely credited to be the Timberwolves’ best on-ball defender by most, and is typically asked to guard the opposing team’s top player.
Jaden McDaniels is an unreal defensive player
Among Point of Attack defenders with 1K+ minutes this season:
⬆️ Elite On-Ball Defense
➡️ Guard Elite Offensive PlayersWho's the 2nd best on-ball POA defender? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/cDovBdLl0W
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) March 30, 2023
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: Bally Sports
