Jaden McDaniels suffered two fractures in his hand when he punched a wall in a moment of frustration during the Timberwolves-Pelicans game Sunday in Minneapolis.
It happened just before halftime and McDaniels did not return to the game. The team announced Monday that he is out indefinitely.
“X-rays and further imaging taken today at Mayo Clinic Square by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on McDaniels revealed fractures of his third and fourth metacarpals. He has been placed in a cast and will be out indefinitely,” the Timberwolves said in a statement.
According to Jon Krawczynski, McDaniels didn’t know “there was a concrete wall” behind the curtain he punched.
Doesn't change the result (broken hand), but the tunnel McDaniels went down is covered in a plastic curtain. I'm told he hit the curtain not knowing there was a concrete wall behind it. He apologized to his teammates and coaches & took responsibility for his mistake, sources said https://t.co/R8UeMjh3tl
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 10, 2023
Losing McDaniels for the play-in tournament and possibly the playoffs is a huge loss. the 6-foot-9 wing is one of the top defensive players in the NBA, and without him – and Rudy Gobert, who is suspended one game for punching his teammate – the Timberwolves will be shorthanded against the Lakers in the opening game of the Western Conference play-in tournament Tuesday night.
If Minnesota beats the Lakers they secure the No. 7 seed and will play Memphis in a best-of-seven series. If Minnesota loses to the Lakers, they’ll have to beat Oklahoma City or New Orleans on Friday night to secure the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the Denver Nuggets.
