The Timberwolves built their new season around a dazzling backcourt, but Monday night brings an early twist. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s top scorer at 33.3 points per game in four appearances, is out until late December. When Milwaukee visits at 8:00 p.m. EST, the Wolves must show that their new-look group can keep charging forward without its biggest finisher.

As of Saturday, Minnesota stood 4-3 and Milwaukee was 1-5. Those records tell different early stories, yet both teams arrive with something to prove. The Wolves are trying to turn a talented roster into a Western Conference force after last season’s playoff exit. The Bucks are beginning a fresh chapter built around young players and new leader Tyler Herro.

Edwards’ absence places a brighter spotlight on LaMelo Ball. The 6-foot-7 guard is Minnesota’s creative guide, pushing the ball ahead and spotting teammates with sharp passes. He averages 6.3 assists, showing how often he creates shots for others. Against a Bucks team that has allowed big scoring nights lately, Ball can change the game by finding open cutters and shooters before Milwaukee’s defense gets set.

Rudy Gobert gives Ball a giant target near the hoop. Gobert has grabbed 12.3 rebounds per game, helping Minnesota control missed shots and earn extra chances. The Wolves also average 48.4 rebounds, just behind Milwaukee’s 49, so the battle under the basket should be loud and physical. Milwaukee’s Kel’el Ware will be central to that fight. The young center uses his length to finish above the rim and is averaging 13 points and 8.7 rebounds in fewer than 20 minutes a night.

Herro is the character Minnesota must slow down. He has scored 22 points per game while hitting 44.7 percent of his three-point shots. He can curl around screens, pull up quickly, or work into a short jumper. Jaden McDaniels’ length could be important against him, while Gobert’s presence near the rim may make driving lanes feel smaller.

Milwaukee also has Myles Turner, a veteran shot blocker with 2.5 blocks per game. A block is a clean stop when a defender knocks away a shot, and Turner can make the paint difficult for Ball and Minnesota’s attacking wings. Still, the Bucks have struggled to protect the ball, giving it away 16.7 times per game, and their recent losses to Cleveland and Houston showed how quickly a game can get away when the other team finds a rhythm.

Minnesota also enters after a loss to San Antonio, but its 120 points per game show an offense with plenty of sparks even without a perfect night. The Wolves’ task is simple: share the ball, win the rebounding battle, and make Herro work for every look. Milwaukee has the size to make it tough, but Minnesota’s deeper defense and home-court energy should carry the night. Prediction: the Timberwolves win.

Minnesota’s New Backcourt Faces an Early Challenge From Milwaukee