On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves walk into Fiserv Forum short-handed for a marquee road test against the Milwaukee Bucks. The headline news is blunt: Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert are out. Milwaukee, meanwhile, lists Myles Turner as questionable and will be without Taurean Prince. That combination of absences reshapes everything from matchups at the rim to who takes the final shot.

The injuries and suspensions aren’t just roster notes—they’re the story. For Minnesota, they strip away the top scoring engine and the defensive anchor on the same night. For the Bucks, we’re waiting on a key health call in the middle, while one of their wings remains sidelined after surgery. This is the kind of January game that tests depth, identity, and coaching adjustments.

Who’s in, who’s out for Bucks vs. Timberwolves

Minnesota’s official outlook features three key notes:

• Anthony Edwards (foot) — out. As one listing put it, “Edwards is dealing with a foot injury, and he is not expected to be active against the Bucks on Tuesday.”
• Rudy Gobert (suspension) — out. The report reads, “Gobert has been suspended for one match, and he is not expected to be active against the Bucks on Tuesday.”
• Terrence Shannon Jr. (left foot abductor hallucis strain) — out.

Milwaukee’s report splits in two:

• Myles Turner (illness) — questionable. The guidance: “Turner is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Minnesota on Tuesday.”
• Taurean Prince (neck surgery, herniated disc) — out.

“No Ant, no Rudy — this is Naz Reid’s prove-it night.”

What Edwards and Gobert’s absences mean for Minnesota

Minnesota enters at 26-14, a record built on defense, discipline, and shot-making from its stars. Edwards has been the head of the snake, averaging 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 2.7 threes per game. That’s a lot of scoring gravity and late-clock creation gone in one stroke.

Gobert’s absence is just as heavy, but in a different way. He’s been cleaning the glass at 11.4 rebounds per game and serving as the back-line deterrent that allows Minnesota’s perimeter defenders to press up. Without him, the Wolves must change how they protect the rim and finish off possessions. Second-chance points and transition defense instantly become higher-risk zones.

With both out, Naz Reid steps into the spotlight. He’s averaging 16.0 points and 6.9 rebounds, and he brings pop as a scorer who can stretch and roll. Expect more touches, more attempts, and likely more responsibility as a rebounder. Minnesota will need clean ball movement, quick decisions, and collective rebounding to offset what’s missing.

There’s also the bigger-picture layer. After trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks, the Wolves’ defense leans even more on Gobert’s presence. In Towns’ final season with Minnesota, the team finished first in defensive rating at 108.9. That’s the standard they’ve chased—and without Gobert for a night, they’ll need a committee to protect that identity.

“If Turner sits, the paint belongs to Naz. If he plays, it’s a chess match at the rim.”

What Myles Turner and Taurean Prince’s statuses mean for Milwaukee

Turner’s availability is a swing factor. At 11.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, his rim protection changes the calculus on Minnesota drives and post-ups. If he’s ruled out, the Bucks lose a key shot-blocking and paint presence, which could invite more downhill attacks from Minnesota even without Edwards.

Prince’s absence (neck surgery, herniated disc) trims Milwaukee’s wing options and spacing patterns. It may not be the headline item, but over four quarters it can show up in defensive matchups and the ability to switch across positions.

With or without Turner, expect Milwaukee to test Minnesota at the rim, especially with Gobert unavailable. That puts pressure on the Wolves’ rotation bigs and guards to finish defensive plays and keep the Bucks out of rhythm on second efforts.

The numbers that frame the night

• Anthony Edwards: 24.5 PTS, 4.6 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.9 BLK, 2.7 3PM — a complete line that Minnesota must replace by committee.
• Rudy Gobert: 11.4 REB — the rebounding and rim deterrence that shape the Wolves’ identity.
• Naz Reid: 16.0 PTS, 6.9 REB — the next-man-up centerpiece for this matchup.
• Myles Turner: 11.8 PTS, 4.1 REB, 1.4 BLK — the health watch that could decide the paint.
• Across the wider picture, Julius Randle is at 21.1 PTS, 6.7 REB, 5.4 AST, and Donte DiVincenzo is at 12.9 PTS, 5.1 REB — snapshots that speak to the level of production around the league tied to recent storylines.

“This one might come down to second-chance points and who wins the turnover battle.”

How each side may adjust

For Minnesota, expect more touches for Reid and a bigger lane for secondary scorers. The Wolves will likely try to speed the ball side-to-side, use quick screening actions, and put pressure on the rim by committee. Without Gobert, they must keep multiple bodies on the glass and avoid cheap fouls that thin out their big-man rotation.

For Milwaukee, this is a chance to pound the paint and manufacture points at the free-throw line. If Turner plays, they can control the interior and dare Minnesota to win with jumpers. If he doesn’t, they’ll still have size, but rim protection won’t be the same. Either way, limiting Reid’s touches in deep spots will be a priority.

Bottom line at Fiserv Forum

Short-handed games are often tests of habits. The Timberwolves arrive at 26-14 because of a strong identity, and they’ll need every bit of it without their leading scorer and their defensive anchor. The Bucks’ ability to dictate the paint—hinging in part on Turner’s status—could swing the night.

It’s a January game with April lessons: win the glass, protect the rim, and trust your system. The margins will tell the story.