Ayo Dosunmu has been one of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ most important contributors this postseason. Acquired from the Chicago Bulls before the trade deadline, the 26-year-old guard averaged 21.8 points per game in the first round against Denver on 60.9 percent shooting, including 54.5 percent from three, cementing himself as a go-to offensive weapon in the playoffs.
Dosunmu suffered a right calf injury during Game 6 of Minnesota’s first-round series against the Nuggets and has not played since. He was ruled out for the series-clinching win over Denver and then ruled out again for Monday’s Game 1 against San Antonio, where the Timberwolves still managed a 104-102 road win behind 18 points from Anthony Edwards and 21 from Julius Randle.
In his absence, second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. stepped up and impressed in a starting role, contributing 16 points and five rebounds in Game 1. Shannon Jr. had logged 40 points over 70 minutes across the Wolves’ last two wins without Dosunmu.
Ayo Dosunmu Available For Game 2 vs. Spurs
The Timberwolves have now changed the terminology on Dosunmu’s injury designation to “injury maintenance,” signaling he is available to play Wednesday. With Minnesota up 1-0 in the series, the return of their leading playoff scorer would give the Wolves another weapon against a Spurs team anchored by Victor Wembanyama’s historic defense.
It is also worth noting Dosunmu is a pending free agent when the season ends, adding another layer of significance to every game he suits up for. Game 2 between the Timberwolves and Spurs tips off Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in San Antonio.
