Anthony Edwards is trending toward a return, and the timing could not be better for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The star guard has been sidelined since suffering a right knee bone bruise after a hyperextension in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on April 25, and early expectations pointed to him missing at least the start of the second round. Nine days later, that outlook has shifted in a big way.
Edwards Cleared Ahead of Game 1
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Edwards is expected to suit up for Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs, barring any late setback. That's a notable development considering the initial projection had him returning mid-series at the earliest.
Edwards pushed through an aggressive recovery process, including hyperbaric chamber sessions, and the Timberwolves reported an unexpected improvement in his condition over the past 24 hours. He's set to test the knee during pregame warmups with the intention to play.
On Sunday, Minnesota upgraded Edwards to questionable for Monday's opener, catching many off guard. That came shortly after Charania had reported Edwards was targeting a Game 3 or 4 return, with the team planning to be cautious given lingering inflammation in his right knee that had already cost him time late in the regular season. Plans changed quickly.
What Anthony Edwards' Return Means for Wolves
The Timberwolves are walking into a tough matchup. The Spurs closed the regular season with the second-best record in the league and are led by MVP finalist Victor Wembanyama. Without Edwards, Minnesota would have leaned heavily on Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley to carry the offensive load against one of the West's stiffest defenses.
That's a difficult ask under any circumstances, and it gets harder with Donte DiVincenzo already done for the season.
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Edwards is a four-time All-Star who just wrapped up the most productive season of his career. He averaged a career-high 28.8 points along with 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His efficiency reached new levels too, shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three on 8.4 attempts per game, both career bests.
With him back in the lineup, Minnesota regains its primary scorer, a reliable transition threat and a player who can create when the shot clock is winding down.
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs present a real challenge, but Edwards changes the equation entirely. Game 1 sets the tone, and the Timberwolves look to have their most important piece ready for it.
