Timberwolves open NBA Cup play against Clippers without Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves start their NBA Cup run Friday night at Target Center against the LA Clippers, and they'll do it without Anthony Edwards. The fourth edition of the in-season tournament starts on Oct. 30, and the Wolves were drawn into West Group B with Oklahoma City, the Clippers, New Orleans and Memphis, according to ESPN's tournament guide.

That group looked hard on paper back in August. It looks harder now. The Star Tribune reported that Edwards is having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and could miss up to two months. That window covers the whole group stage, which runs through Nov. 27, and could reach into the knockout rounds. Team president Tim Connelly said the Wolves expect Edwards to come back "good as new," according to an Associated Press report carried by ESPN. The same report noted that Minnesota is still without Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his right Achilles in last spring's playoffs. That leaves more of the backcourt load on newly acquired point guard LaMelo Ball.

The format doesn't leave much room for mistakes. Each team plays the other four in its group once, with two games at home and two on the road. Group winners and a wild card go on to the quarterfinals Dec. 4-5. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at home sites this year. The championship moves from Las Vegas to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Dec. 11. After Friday, the Wolves play at New Orleans on Nov. 6 and at Oklahoma City on Nov. 25, then finish group play at home against Memphis on Nov. 27. Every Cup game also counts in the regular-season standings, so group games carry weight either way. NBA.com's Cup page has the group standings.

What it means against the Clippers

Minnesota is 3-2. The season started with three straight wins: 131-106 at Miami, 115-93 at Orlando and 117-94 over Toronto in the home opener. Edwards was seen holding his knee during that opener. The Wolves have lost both games since, both of them close: 127-125 at Cleveland, then 119-114 at home to Golden State, when Stephen Curry scored 44, per ESPN. Friday is the first chance to see how coach Chris Finch's rotation looks without Edwards. It also comes the night before a road game at San Antonio.

The market still has Minnesota as a clear choice. On this site's board, which tracks 12 venues, the Wolves are favored at -245 on Novig and the Clippers are +239. On the spread, Novig has Minnesota at -7.5 for +106. DraftKings has the best price on the Wolves at a shorter number, -6.5 at -118. The total sits at 223.5 on Novig, with the over at -104 and the under at -100. FanDuel has the best over at 222.5 (-115) and Pinnacle the best under at 224 (-108). The venues are close: sportsbook hold runs from 2.9% to 4.8% on the moneyline and from 2.4% to 5.2% on the spread.

Tip-off is 8 p.m. ET. For Minnesota's full season numbers, see our Timberwolves team page.