The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into their second-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs with a major question hanging over everything. Is Anthony Edwards playing?
Edwards got hurt in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets after landing awkwardly and bending his left knee in an unnatural way. The diagnosis came back as a bone bruise and hyperextension. He sat out as Minnesota closed out Denver 110-98 at home on Thursday, April 30, finishing the series in six games. Game 1 against the No. 2 seed Spurs tips off Monday, May 4 in San Antonio.
Sunday's injury report comes as a joyful update for the fans. The Timberwolves “surprisingly” upgraded Edwards to questionable for the opener, per Marc Stein.
It's not a clearance but it's a step forward from where things stood after the injury. Ayo Dosunmu is also listed as questionable with right calf soreness, according to the Timberwolves' status report. Donte DiVincenzo has been ruled out as he continues recovering from right Achilles tendon repair.
What Anthony Edwards’ Comeback Means for Minnesota
This series looks very different depending on whether Edwards suits up. He made his fourth straight All-Star team this season and put together the best numbers of his career. 28.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three on 8.4 attempts.
Minnesota's offense runs through him. He creates shots, breaks down defenses and carries the scoring load in a way no one else on that roster can.
Without him, the Timberwolves can still compete. They showed that against Denver. But the San Antonio Spurs bring a different kind of pressure, and that's a harder ask without your best player.
Spurs' Clear Window Closing
San Antonio's clearest path in this series was always to take care of business before Edwards had a chance to get healthy. Victor Wembanyama brings a defensive presence that complicates things for any offense and the Spurs have the pace and structure to make life difficult. That window may be closing now.
If Edwards and Dosunmu are both available Monday night, Minnesota goes from a team trying to survive Game 1 to a genuine threat. The Timberwolves are tested, and they're not walking in scared. With their star potentially back on the floor, the pressure shifts.
