Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves know the Denver Nuggets all too well in the postseason. The two franchises have faced off repeatedly in recent seasons, with this year’s matchup their third in the last four years.
It is a familiar but intense rivalry but one constant has stood out for Minnesota; the team needs Edwards operating at full throttle to have a real chance against Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets.
Game 1 is done and dusted with the Timberwolves falling short and as they gear up for Game 2 slated for Monday, there are fresh concerns emerging over Edwards availability after a not-so-dominant display in Game 1.
Minnesota Sweating Over Anthony Edward’s Availability
Edwards played 38 minutes of the series opener, but the 24-year-old star looked far from his usual explosive self and playoff form.
He scored 22 points on 7-for-19 shooting, including a poor 2-for-9 from 3-point range. He did add nine rebounds and a season-high seven assists, but his movement looked forced with visible signs of discomfort, which affected his bursts.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 08: Anthony Edwards #5, Jaden McDaniels #3 and Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Edwards didn’t enter the series feeling 100%. He is dealing with a lingering knee injury that became worse during the final stretch of the regular season. He was not available for selection in 11 of Minnesota’s final 14 regular-season games. His workload was managed as the Wolves hoped to have him ready for the playoffs.
But it seems they didn’t fully grasp the full magnitude of pain Edwards was under. After a 38-minute cameo in Game 1, the guard is listed as questionable ahead of Monday’s matchup.
He was upgraded to play Game 1 as he participated in practice and looked sharp; however, the first game in Denver might have done a toll.
Edwards played only 61 games in the regular season, which is the lowest total in his career. He has always been a 70-game player until this year when his knee issue refused to die down. He still posted career-best averages of 28.8 points per game. That indicated his touch wasn’t lost to the lingering issue.
He missed out on the 65-game mark, meaning he won’t be eligible for postseason awards this year, which is an unfortunate circumstance in a career-high year.
Edwards has earned two All-NBA selections in his career.
Wolves’ Path Without Their Star at Best Eases Nuggets’ Task
The Timberwolves, who are hoping for a quick response to Game 1, will be dealt a massive blow if Edwards isn’t cleared to play on Monday.
Chris Finch’s side will be without their primary offensive head.
Minnesota has a top core that boasts plenty of playoff experience — the Wolves have the same core from the previous two postseasons, which saw them make the conference finals — but generating consistent scoring against Denver’s stout defense becomes a much taller order without Edwards.
For the Nuggets, it will be a sigh of relief as they have struggled at times in the past to contain his athleticism and scoring punch in the postseason.
In their last playoff series in 2024 during the Western Conference semifinals, Edwards averaged 27.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists as Minnesota took out the then-defending champions in seven games.
Edwards’ playoff pedigree changes the way the Nuggets approach their defensive game.
Without him, that load becomes much lighter as this first round series will likely determine whether the Timberwolves can push past a Nuggets team that knows exactly how to exploit any drop-off in star power.
Timberwolves Hit with Worrying Anthony Edwards Update Before Game 2 vs Nuggets