The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into a first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets with uncertainty about superstar Anthony Edwards.
Edwards, 24, has been dealing with a nagging knee injury that kept him sidelined for 11 of the Timberwolves’ final 14 regular-season games. While continuing to work his way back, Anthony Edwards has played in limited fashion in the final month of the regular season.
However, Minnesota is hoping to have Anthony Edwards back on the court for its series against the Nuggets. Head coach Chris Finch said after Tuesday’s practice that Edwards was a “full-go.”
“Ant was full-go today.”
This is great news for the Timberwolves as they continue to monitor the injuries to players like Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid. Minnesota still has the rest of the week to rest and recover before taking on the Nuggets on Saturday.
Anthony Edwards’ Impact on the Timberwolves This Season
Before going down with the knee injury, Anthony Edwards was having yet another impactful campaign in his age-24 season. In 61 games, he finished with a career-high in points per game (28.8), field goal percentage (48.9%), and three-point percentage (39.9) while adding 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Edwards finished with the third-most points per game this season, just behind the Los Angeles Lakers‘ Luka Doncic and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Despite losing their best player for the final part of the regular season, the Timberwolves were still able to maintain the six-seed in the West. In the 11 games Edwards missed due to what’s labeled “runner’s knee,” Minnesota went 6-5.
It’s uncertain if Anthony Edwards will continue to play in a limited fashion for the first round against the Denver Nuggets. More updates will be provided as the week progresses.
Timberwolves Deal With Injuries to Multiple Role Players
Anthony Edwards isn’t the only player on the Timberwolves who’s been dealing with late-season setbacks.
Jaden McDaniels also suffered a nagging knee injury that kept him out of seven of Minnesota’s final nine games. His injury is labeled as left knee patella tendinopathy. He’s returned to action, but played in limited fashion down the stretch.
Naz Reid has been playing through a shoulder issue that’s affected his shooting numbers. Reid shot 21.8% from three in March but would improve in April, shooting 31.0%. His setback will be something worth monitoring while he helps defend Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets’ bigs.
Julius Randle has been experiencing hand soreness in his non-shooting arm. Randle missed the final three games of the regular season, but it’s difficult to imagine the 31-year-old sitting out of the playoffs.
Minnesota also rested Kyle Anderson (knee), Ayo Dosunmu (calf injury management), Bones Hyland (hip soreness), and Rudy Gobert (rest) in the final games of the regular season.
Each player’s status will continue to be updated throughout the week as the Timberwolves prepare to take on the Nuggets once again. The two franchises are very familiar with one another at this time of year.
The last time the Timberwolves and Nuggets met in the playoffs was in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. Minnesota would go on to beat Denver in seven games.
Timberwolves’ Chris Finch Provides Anthony Edwards Update Ahead of Playoffs