Jaden McDaniels has been known for his durability throughout his NBA career, which is what made his six-game absence due it injury so jarring for him. 

He's played in 70 games or more in all but his rookie season in the NBA and while the 2025-26 season hasn't been any different, he was still kept out for a longer period than he's been accustomed to due to left patella tendinopathy, but based on the way that he was playing in his first game back, there wasn't much rust to shake off. 

"It just felt good to play basketball again, and be able to run up and down the court [and] play with my teammates," McDaniels said (via Timberwolves). "Just be hooping."

McDaniels played 19 minutes in his first game back with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a 132-120 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, and in the process he scored 18 points along with two rebounds and two assists. 

It's not just the raw numbers that are a good sign for McDaniels, but the way he got them. Namely, he was back to dunking in his first game back, which is a great sign for his knee health, as McDaniels said that he wouldn't have even tried dunking if he was scared for his knee.

It's also a great sign that his bounce and physicality, two things that have defined his play style throughout his career, haven't escaped him. 

McDaniels is still dealing with the typical issues that come with missing weeks of play, namely trying to get his conditioning or "wind" back, but overall it's been a seamless transition for him from the injured list to the court. 

With Anthony Edwards still sidelined, having McDaniels back is a huge lift for the Timberwolves, especially as they get ready for the playoffs. McDaniels isn't just a key offensive presence that can space the floor, but he brings a physicality to the post as one of the team's best rebounders and blockers. 

McDaniels was itching to get back in the floor and with the work that he put in to keep himself ready for a return his dedication clearly shows. The commitment to both his team and the game itself are evidence of McDaniels as a player and he's a player that Minnesota will need desperately when it comes to competing in the playoffs. 

It may have been a brief absence in the grand scheme of things, but it was one that the Timberwolves definitely felt and they're surely glad to have McDaniels back.