Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels sustained a fractured right hand upon punching a wall on his way towards the locker room during the first quarter of their 113-108 Sunday win against the New Orleans Pelicans, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
McDaniels picked up two early fouls late in the first frame and was subbed out by coach Chris Finch. He went on to walk his way down to the dugout and proceeded to deliver a punch on a near wall, in what could be rooted from frustration.
McDaniels was then seen icing his right hand in the second period and was announced out for the remainder of the match.
This injury by McDaniels can only mean a devastating one for Minnesota. Though they locked a play-in spot as a result of the victory against the Pels, they are slated to face the surging, seventh-seed Los Angeles Lakers for the right to advance to the playoffs.
With no McDaniels out, the Wolves are in trouble of facing and trying to contain both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The young forward has been Minnesota’s primary defender and All-Defensive standout, leading all the league’s wingman in block percentage (1.6%) while holding down primary offensive assignments to 46 percent shooting (contrasting the league average of 49%).
