Key Player Ruled Out For Timberwolves-Raptors Game

Jaden McDaniels has been ruled out for Wednesday's game.

On Wednesday evening, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be in Canada to face off against the Toronto Raptors for their first game of the 2023-24 regular season.  

However, they will be without one of their best players for the game, as Jaden McDaniels has been ruled out due to a calf injury.

Via Underdog NBA: "Jaden McDaniels (calf) ruled out for Wednesday."

Jaden McDaniels (calf) ruled out for Wednesday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) October 24, 2023

McDaniels is coming off a solid season where he averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 51.7% from the field and 39.8% from the three-point range in 79 games.  

He was initially the 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Washington and has been in the league for three seasons (all with the Timberwolves). 

His career averages are 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 48.2% from the field and 36.0% from the three-point range in 212 regular season games (he has also appeared in six NBA playoff games). 

Anthony Edwards on Jaden McDaniels:

"Jaden is the most important person on the team, for sure, because he has the most potential. I think the world knows we wouldn't be the Timberwolves without him. I'm looking forward to him having a phenomenal season." pic.twitter.com/79MUFzZ47k

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 23, 2023

As for the Timberwolves, they are coming off a season where they were the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record. 

However, they lost to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games). 

Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow’s game at Toronto:

OUT
Clark - Right Achilles Tendon Rupture Rehab
McDaniels - Left Calf Strain

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) October 24, 2023

Meanwhile, the Raptors were the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 record. 

They lost to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament, so they missed the NBA playoffs. 

The franchise won the NBA Championship in 2019 but has only won one playoff series since that season.