Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves got a major injury update just hours before the Wolves open their NBA second-round playoff series with Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs. Edwards has been given the green light to play in the game, after his knee injury in Game 4 of the first round, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
“This just in! Anthony Edwards has received medical clearance and is expected to play tonight in Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs, barring any setback in his pregame warmups,” Charania said in an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today program Monday afternoon. “He’s been pushing and really planning on trying to give this a go tonight. He’s made unexpected progress in the last 24 hours.”
Edwards suffered a bone bruise when he hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 of the first round against the Nuggets, according to an earlier ESPN account.
As late as Sunday evening, Edwards had been listed questionable for Game 1 against the No. 2-seeded Spurs, according to ESPN.
“He did most of everything in shootaround this morning in San Antonio. He’s medically checking all the boxes, and Timberwolves doctors will monitor his pregame routine and then give him the final sign-off. But just nine days after suffering that bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee — and with the team believing he’d be back at the earliest in Game 3 or Game 4 — he pushed and really wanted to go tonight,” Charania continued in the NBA Today appearance.
“I’m told he went through multiple treatment options, including the hyperbaric chamber, over the last several days to try to get back,” the longtime ESPN NBA insider said. “So Anthony Edwards will go through his pregame warmups tonight with the intention of playing.”
Timberwolves’ Shorthanded Run Through Denver
The clearance comes on the heels of one of the more remarkable team efforts in recent playoff memory. Minnesota closed out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 on April 30 at Target Center without Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu and Kyle Anderson all unavailable, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune‘s Chris Hine. The Wolves became the first team in NBA playoff history to win a game while missing three players who each averaged double figures in scoring during the series.
Jaden McDaniels carried the offense with a career-high 32 points, and Terrence Shannon Jr., inserted into the starting lineup, added 24 more. Minnesota dominated, outscoring Denver 64-40 in the frontcourt, according to NBA.com‘s Steve Aschburner. The series victory sent the No. 6-seeded Wolves into the Western Conference Semifinals against San Antonio.
Minnesota Timberwolves Face San Antonio Spurs With Edwards’ Status Still Evolving
Even with medical clearance secured, Edwards is not expected to be fully himself in Game 1. His recovery has been built around pain management rather than structural repair, and doctors are expected to monitor him right up to game time before issuing final authorization. Will he play his trademark aggressive, drive-heavy game? Only Monday night will tell.
How much Edwards can deliver tonight — and how quickly he returns to full form — shapes Minnesota’s entire second-round outlook.
Anthony Edwards Injury Will be Monitored Up to Game Time: ESPN Insider