The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies head into Monday night’s matchup with more questions than answers. With tip-off set for 7:30 PM ET in Memphis, the final injury report is the headline: Anthony Edwards and Jaren Jackson Jr. are both questionable, and both teams are juggling a long list of absences that could swing the game plan by the hour.

For a Wolves team at 31–19 and sitting third in the Northwest Division, every game matters in a tight Western race. For Memphis, still patching things together without Ja Morant and others, the question is simple: who can carry the load if JJJ can’t go?

Final injury check: who’s in, who’s out?

The official NBA report (stamped 02/02/26 at 1:15 PM) lists the following:

• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Anthony Edwards — Back spasms, Questionable. “Edwards is dealing with a back injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Grizzlies on Monday.” He’s also listed as questionable due to back spasms.
• Julius Randle — Left thumb soreness, Questionable.
• Terrence Shannon Jr. — Left foot abductor hallucis strain, Out.
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Jaren Jackson Jr. — Left quad contusion, Questionable.
• Ja Morant — Left elbow UCL sprain, Out (expected mid-February).
• John Konchar — Neck contusion, Out.
• Brandon Clarke — Right calf strain, Out.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. — Left great toe surgery recovery, Out.
• Zach Edey — Left ankle stress reaction, Out.

“If Edwards sits, who creates shots when the clock gets tight?”

Why Anthony Edwards’ status swings the night

Edwards is the Wolves’ engine and late-game closer. He’s averaging 29.4 points per game with a 32.0% usage rate, and Minnesota is 24–15 with him (a +4.3 net rating). Interestingly, they’re 7–4 without him and even post a slightly higher net rating (+8.3), but the eye test tells you the offense is much tougher without his shot creation.

Another scouting snapshot lists him at 25.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists with 3.1 threes per game, plus 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. Whether you look at usage or box score averages, the takeaway is the same: Edwards bends defenses, draws two to the ball, and decides how Minnesota closes quarters.

If Edwards can’t go, the Wolves will need cleaner early offense and more ball movement. That likely means Naz Reid (16.1 ppg) getting touches early, Donte DiVincenzo (12.1 ppg) spacing the floor and attacking closeouts, and steady screen-and-roll with Rudy Gobert (8.7 ppg) to chew up paint touches and free corner threes.

The Randle factor: usage, playmaking, and spacing

Julius Randle is also questionable with a sore left thumb, and his presence changes Minnesota’s shot diet. He’s at 22.3 ppg with a 26.9% usage rate, and the Wolves carry a +5.2 net rating when he’s on the floor. Another line pegs him at 21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists with 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.6 threes per game — a profile that highlights not just scoring, but secondary playmaking and passing out of doubles.

Against a Memphis team that can switch and help from the weak side, Randle’s ability to punish mismatches and spray the ball to shooters is a key pressure point. If the thumb limits his handle or touch, expect Minnesota to lean more on delay action through the high post, using Reid and Gobert as screeners to trigger cuts and dribble handoffs.

“JJJ playing or not is the whole Memphis defense story.”

Memphis’ math problem without Jaren Jackson Jr.

With Ja Morant still out and much of the rotation sidelined, Jaren Jackson Jr. becomes Memphis’ fulcrum on both ends. He’s listed questionable with a quad contusion. He brings 19.0 ppg on a 25.4% usage rate, and the on/off splits underscore his value: the Grizzlies are 16–28 with him (net -2.9) and 2–1 without him (net +10.0). That small “without” sample can be noisy, but it shows how volatile things get when personnel changes push different lineups to the front.

Another snapshot of his all-around line: 19.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, plus the defensive spice that makes him special — 1.3 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 1.8 threes per game. If JJJ plays, Memphis can still protect the rim, switch more, and cover up some of the guard depth issues. If he sits, the Grizzlies must win the effort stats: defensive rebounding, 50-50 balls, and paint touches by committee.

Memphis’ injury list is long: Konchar, Clarke, Pippen Jr., and Edey are all out. That likely forces more usage onto secondary creators and shooters, and it puts a premium on whoever can generate dribble penetration to stress Minnesota’s interior defense.

Matchups and X-factors to watch

• Rim pressure vs. rim protection: If JJJ plays, his blocks and help timing around Gobert/Reid screens will be pivotal. If he doesn’t, Minnesota must hammer the paint and hunt free throws.
• Shot creation if Edwards sits: DiVincenzo’s on-ball minutes go up, and Randle’s post touches become more central. Quick decisions beat set help.
• Bench punch: The Wolves have multiple double-digit scoring options. Memphis needs hot shooting pockets and energy minutes to keep pace.

“Wolves need to win the math: paint + free throws if JJJ is out.”

Form, context, and how to watch

Minnesota enters at 31–19, third in the Northwest Division, and looking to bank a road win against a short-handed Memphis group. The Grizzlies are battling through a tough stretch with Morant still targeting mid-February. The Wolves’ official preview and streaming information are available via the team’s channels, with tip slated for 7:30 PM ET.

The most important updates will come close to warmups. The official report is already out, but with both Edwards and Randle listed as questionable — and JJJ the same on Memphis’ side — expect final word in the pregame window. One late change could flip both rotations and the game plan.

Bottom line

This game could turn on three names: Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Jaren Jackson Jr. If Edwards and Randle go, Minnesota has the talent and shot creation to control the pace. If one or both sit, the Wolves must win with defense, glass work, and smart half-court reads. For Memphis, JJJ’s presence stabilizes the paint and provides spacing on offense — without him, it’s about grit, energy, and making enough threes to keep Minnesota honest.

By the time the ball goes up, we’ll know more. Until then, the injury report is the scoreboard.