Anthony Edwards will have a cleanup procedure on his right knee Thursday, and the Timberwolves believe he will be ‘good as new’

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Wednesday that the team believes Anthony Edwards will be “good as new” following arthroscopic surgery for a lingering injury to his right knee. Edwards is scheduled for the cleanup procedure on Thursday, after which the team expects to have a clearer timetable for his return this season.

An MRI on Tuesday revealed new damage that had not appeared on previous scans, which were done before training camp and during the playoffs, and Connelly said Edwards’ condition this summer was not such that a procedure would have been recommended then. “He wants to play tonight,” Connelly said before the Timberwolves hosted Golden State. “We’re just concerned about his long-term health. We want to make sure we’re putting him in the best position he can be so he can be the best version he’s going to be for a long time.”

Connelly said Edwards consented to the surgery “kicking and screaming.” “He’s bummed, but Anthony is such a naturally positive and upbeat guy,” Connelly said. “He’s hit all his teammates quickly and said, ‘You guys got it,’ and we’ll roll from there.”

Coach Chris Finch called the news “a bit of a shock to everybody” and said Minnesota will fill the scoring void “by committee.” Edwards scored 47 points in Monday’s overtime loss at Cleveland after being listed as questionable, and his 133 points through four games are a franchise record.

The Timberwolves are also without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his right Achilles tendon during the playoffs, and Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland are in line for larger roles. Our earlier coverage detailed the reported absence estimates of several weeks to up to two months.