NBA: Timberwolves G Ayo Dosunmu out for Game 6 vs. Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu was ruled out for Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday due to a sore right calf.

Dosunmu was a late addition to the injury report, and news of his absence came just over an hour before tipoff. Minnesota entered the game holding a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Saturday in Denver.

The Timberwolves also ruled out star guard Anthony Edwards (knee) and backcourt partner Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) for Thursday’s contest. However, guard Bones Hyland was available to play despite dealing with left knee soreness.

Dosunmu, a midseason acquisition from the Chicago Bulls, had been a key contributor during the series. He delivered a standout performance in Game 4 with 43 points after Minnesota was hit by injuries to Edwards and DiVincenzo. He also scored 25 points in Game 3 and 18 points in Game 5.

The 26-year-old has averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds across 69 combined games for Chicago and Minnesota this season, including 19 starts. Drafted in the second round by the Bulls in 2021 out of the University of Illinois, Dosunmu has career averages of 11.1 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 348 NBA games.

Minnesota will look to close out the series without several key rotation players as injuries continue to impact both teams heading into a critical Game 6. -Field Level Media/Reuters