Roundup
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz
Anthony Edwards eases knee concerns, Northwest roundup
Anthony Edwards put knee worries to rest while Denver and Portland adjusted their plans in a Northwest division already under early-season pressure.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
There were no games on the schedule Sunday in the Northwest division, but it was still a meaningful 24 hours, with injury updates, rotation questions and preseason plans shaping how the early weeks could unfold.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards moves on from knee issues
Anthony Edwards said Saturday that his knee problems from last season are behind him, a key development for a Minnesota Timberwolves team that has yet to play (0-0). The star guard is set to lead a full-strength starting lineup in Monday’s preseason opener. For a group that leans heavily on Edwards as its offensive engine, getting immediate reps with the primary five is a valuable edge this early in camp.
Denver Nuggets: depth gets an early test
In Denver (0-1), preparations for opening night in Oklahoma City just got more complicated. Spencer Jones has suffered a left hamstring strain, forcing the Nuggets to rework their wing rotation. Denver will lean on its depth, including Brazile and newcomer Alpha Diallo, to cover those minutes in the short term. The challenge between now and the opener is to find workable combinations without disrupting the balance of an already established core.
Portland Trail Blazers: a crowded backcourt
For the Portland Trail Blazers (0-0), the big question isn’t who can play, but who should start. An analysis out of Portland highlights how Ja Morant’s arrival, Damian Lillard’s return and Deni Avdija’s emergence as an offensive focal point have created a genuine lineup puzzle. One option on the table is bringing Morant off the bench to lead the second unit instead of locking him into the opening five, a way to spread usage while keeping Avdija central from the opening tip.
Elsewhere in the division, the Utah Jazz stand as the only team with a win on the board (1-0), while the Oklahoma City Thunder still await their first action (0-0). It was a quiet day in both markets, but with rotations tightening and health updates trending positive, the stage is set for a tightly contested start in the Northwest.