Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Gets shots up Monday
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McLaughlin (knee) was spotted during Monday's shootaround getting shots up while sporting a knee brace, Jace Frederick of St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
McLaughlin was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee at the beginning of November and will be re-evaluated at the beginning of December. It's encouraging to see him participating in basketball activities already, and he could be cleared to return shortly after his next evaluation, though he's slated to remain sidelined for the immediate future. He averaged just 3.8 minutes per game across five appearances before being shut down.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Out at least four weeks
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McLaughlin was diagnosed with a right knee MCL sprain Tuesday and will re-evaluated in four weeks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
McLaughlin suffered his injury in Monday's matchup with Boston and will now be headed toward a lengthy absence. McLaughlin is averaging just 3.8 minutes across his five appearances this season, so his absence shouldn't have a big impact on Minnesota's rotation.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Early exit Monday
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McLaughlin (knee) is out for the remainder of Monday's game against Boston.
McLaughlin was diagnosed with right knee soreness in the second half of Monday's game against Boston and was promptly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Shake Milton and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will absorb his role, although neither typically replicates McLaughlin's true point-guard archetype.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Solid finish to preseason
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McLaughlin scored 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3Pt) while adding four assists and a rebound in 13 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 114-105 preseason win over the Bulls.
Mike Conley (illness) and Jaden McDaniels (calf) weren't in the lineup, but Minnesota coach Chris Finch elected to keep McLaughlin in his usual role on the second unit for Minnesota's preseason finale, moving Shake Milton and Nickeil Alexander-Walker into the starting five instead. McLaughlin still wound up tying Milton and Kyle Anderson for the team lead in assists despite playing fewer minutes than either, but even if Conley were to miss time during the regular season with a more significant issue, it's not clear McLaughlin would directly benefit.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Scores two off bench
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McLaughlin posted two points (1-2 FG), two assists and a steal in 12 minutes during Thursday's 111-99 preseason win over the Mavericks.
McLaughlin saw double-digit minutes off the bench but failed to generate much production, a trend that could continue into the regular season. He played exclusively off the bench last season and averaged 3.7 points and 3.4 assists in 15.8 minutes per game.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Off injury report
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McLaughlin (illness) is not on the injury report for Sunday's matchup against the Warriors.
After a one-game absence due to an illness, McLaughlin will return. This month, the reserve point guard is averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 17.6 minutes.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Downgraded to out
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McLaughlin (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Hawks.
McLaughlin was a late addition to the injury report and will ultimately be sidelined due to an illness. In his absence, Austin Rivers and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be candidates for increased roles behind Mike Conley.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Dealing with illness
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McLaughlin is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Hawks due to an illness.
McLaughlin was a late addition to the injury report, which is never a good sign, but he still has a chance to suit up Wednesday night. If he's sidelined, Austin Rivers and Nickeil Alexander-Walker would be candidates for increased roles behind Mike Conley.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Team-high eight assists off bench
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McLaughlin closed with nine points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), one rebound and eight assists in 24 minutes during Saturday's 122-107 loss to the Raptors.
McLaughlin played his most minutes since Dec. 3 and dished out a team-high eight assists, though he did tie his season high with three turnovers. The undrafted point guard out of USC still hasn't scored in double figures since returning from a two-month injury absence at the beginning of February and has averaged just 3.7 points, 2.8 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game over his past 17 appearances.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Continues to garner modest role
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McLaughlin supplied five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), one rebound and three assists over 20 minutes during Tuesday's 117-94 loss to the 76ers.
Following a two-month absence due to a calf strain, McLaughlin has appeared in 12 straight games but is averaging just 2.9 points, 2.2 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes during that stretch. Barring numerous injuries, it's safe to leave McLaughlin on the waiver wire in standard leagues despite his consistent role in Minnesota's rotation.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Good to go Wednesday
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McLaughlin (calf) will be available for Wednesday's game against Utah, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
There were concerns McLaughlin would sit the tail end of the Timberwolves' back-to-back set after missing two months with a calf injury before returning to action Sunday. However, with D'Angelo Russell being traded and unavailable Wednesday and Austin Rivers (suspension) sidelined, McLaughlin will be much needed in the backcourt, although he has played just eight and 12 minutes since his return.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Questionable Wednesday
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McLaughlin is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz due to left calf strain injury management.
McLaughlin missed nearly two months due to a calf injury but has been back in action over the last two matchups. He's averaged just 10.0 minutes per game during that time, and it's unclear whether he'll be available for the second half of a back-to-back set Wednesday. If the 26-year-old is sidelined, Jaylen Nowell could see a slight uptick in playing time.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Available to play Tuesday
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McLaughlin (calf) is available to play Tuesday against Denver.
The guard returned from injury Sunday against Denver and played just 12 minutes, but he could pick up a few more Tuesday evening with so many Minnesota players on the shelf.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Questionable Tuesday
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McLaughlin (calf) is questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Nuggets.
After making his first appearance since missing Minnesota's previous 30 games, McLaughlin is questionable for the Timberwolves' outing Tuesday. If the USC product is unable to suit up, his next chance to return comes Wednesday against the Jazz.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Makes return from lengthy absence
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McLaughlin (calf) played 12 minutes and finished with two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and three assists in Sunday's 128-98 win over the Nuggets.
Suiting up for the first time since Dec. 9 after missing nearly two months with a calf strain, McLaughlin was available off the bench on a minutes limit. With D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards entrenched as Minnesota's starters in the backcourt, McLaughlin isn't likely to see his playing time expand much from what he received Sunday, and the fourth-year player may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation once the Timberwolves are back to full strength. With Austin Rivers sitting out the first game of a three-game ban, head coach Chris Finch will likely have to decide between Rivers and McLaughlin for a regular spot on the second unit alongside guard Jaylen Nowell.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Available with minutes limit
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McLaughlin (calf) is available for Sunday's game against the Nuggets but will have a minutes restriction, Michael Grady of YES Network reports.
McLaughlin hasn't played since Dec. 9 due to his calf injury, but he'll be able to suit up against Denver on Sunday. He averaged 15.9 minutes per game over 18 appearances prior to his absence but is unlikely to see much run Sunday.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Questionable for Sunday
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McLaughlin (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Nuggets.
Head coach Chris Finch said less than a week ago that McLaughlin was "inching" toward his return, and the guard apparently continues to make good progress over the past few days. The 26-year-old hasn't seen game action since he suffered the calf strain Dec. 9, so even if available Sunday, he's unlikely to see significant run.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Making small gains in recovery
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Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Tuesday that McLaughlin (calf) is "inching" forward in his return process, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports.
McLaughlin will remain out for Wednesday's game versus the Warriors, but Finch's comments suggest that the reserve guard might have a chance to return from the left calf strain prior to the All-Star break. The 26-year-old hasn't played since Dec. 9 due to the injury.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Not close to return
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Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Monday that he doesn't expect McLaughlin (calf) to return to game action anytime soon, Dane Moore of 'The Dane Moore NBA Podcast' reports.
McLaughlin is missing his 20th straight game Monday against the Jazz due to a left calf strain, and based on Finch's comments, the reserve guard looks to be viewed as week-to-week rather than day-to-day at this stage. His ongoing absence should continue to keep a rotation spot open for Austin Rivers on the second unit.
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Timberwolves' Jordan McLaughlin: Likely 'weeks away' from playing
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McLaughlin is considered weeks away from returning to the lineup while he continues to recover from the left calf strain he sustained in early December, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported Wednesday.
The reserve guard is now a month removed from suffering the injury, but the Timberwolves have yet to indicate that he's nearing a return to game action. Considering that McLaughlin hasn't been reported to have resumed practicing, he'll likely miss several more games before potentially suiting up for the Timberwolves sometime in the latter half of January. His ongoing absence will afford more opportunities on the second unit for Jaylen Nowell and Austin Rivers.
