Anthony Edwards Injury Update is Bad News for Timberwolves

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Anthony Edwards - Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves went up three games to one in their first round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, after a soul-stealing 112-96 victory at Target Center in Game 5. In most situations, the mood among Wolves fans would be one of elation.

After they fell in Game 1 back in Denver (where they will return for Game 5 on Monday), nobody expected Minnesota to bounce back for three-straight wins, to put the Nuggets on the ropes, going back to Colorado.

Minnesota Timberwolves pay heavily for Game 4 win over Nuggets

Unfortunately, Saturday’s win came with what could wind up being a deathnel sacrifice. First, the Wolves lost 29-year-old two-way guard Donte DiVincenzo early in the first quarter to a torn achilles, ending his season.

Then, 24-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards hyperextended his knee one quarter later, ending his night too.

By the start of the second half, it had already been reported that both Ant and Donte were done for the night. We knew shortly after what DiVincenzo’s diagnosis was. Obviously, the video above gave Edwards’ away, as well.

But when Minnesota Timberwolves fans went to bed last night, they did so praying that the outlook on Ant’s recovery would be more optimistic. Hyperextensions can range in recovery timelines, from one week to multiple months, depending on the severity.

Anthony Edwards injury update will not make MN Timberwolves fans feel better

And on Sunday morning, we all crossed our fingers as Shams (ESPN) update pushed to our phones. To all of our disappointment, the news was not good, revealing a bone bruise and hypertension in Edwards’ left knee — multiple weeks of recovery time.

In other words, the MN Timberwolves will have to win AT LEAST one playoff series without Anthony Edwards — who averaged a career-high 28.8 points and 5 rebounds per game during the regular season.

Entering Game 4, Anthony Edwards was leading the Minnesota Timberwolves with 23 points per game this postseason, to go along with 7.7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.

While his right knee, which came into the series injured, clearly limited him, Edwards was clearly the Wolves’ best player, while on the floor. Once he left it, the newly acquired Ayo Dosunmu assumed that role… and flourished.

When the dust settled Saturday night, Ayo put up 43 points on 12-of-12 from the free throw line and 5-of-5 from deep. His out-of-body performance, combined with Rudy Gobert’s continued pestering of Nikola Jokic led Minnesota to a surprisingly easy victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4.

The question going forward, is how long can they retain whatever juice they had last night, minus not just their superstar, but also Donte DiVincenzo, who was by far their best outside shooter so far this postseason, and one of their most rugged on-ball wing defenders.

For now, they can’t worry about that. Just win game 5 back in Ball Arena, then worry about what comes next.

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