Timberwolves Superstar “Clearly Limited” by Injury

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Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray : NBA Playoffs - Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

On Saturday afternoon, the Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Denver Nuggets 116-105 in game one of their first round playoff series. Losing a road game one during a seven-game postseason series rarely decides which team moves on.

But it’s possible the Wolves’ 2026 playoff fate was sealed early in the first quarter yesterday, when Anthony Edwards first clutched at his injured knee, non-verbally revealing to the basketball world just how unhealthy he really is.

After the game, Ant shrugged off any concern over his knee injury — which cost him 11 of Minnesota’s last 14 regular season games and his award eligibility — telling reporters that outside of some fatigue issues, “Nah, I felt good.”

Of course, anyone watching Saturday’s game can tell that Anthony Edwards is telling us one thing, but showing us another.

Minnesota Timberwolves fans should believe their eyes, not Anthony Edwards…

It’s worth noting that the video above, where Ant jumps up for a defensive rebound, then comes down grabbing at his knee, happened a shortly after he re-entered, coming off a ten-minute break, just in game time, between the first and second quarters.

Edwards left the game at the two-ish minute mark in the first quarter, and didn’t return until there was seven minutes left in the second. My guess, is that we will not see Anthony Edwards take another elongated break on the bench during this postseason run, however long it lasts.

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But if seeing isn’t believing, or you only saw a box score that had Ant near or at the top of the team in points (22), assists (7), rebounds (9) and blocks (3), Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) confirmed this morning that Minnesota’s 24-year-old superstar is indeed playing hurt.

[Edwards’] first step wasn’t as dangerous. He didn’t look quite like the player who has been a living nightmare for the Nuggets in this rivalry, which has low-key become one of the best in the league.

He missed 11 of the last 14 games of the regular season and has been receiving around-the-clock treatment to try to get his knee ready to play. What he showed on Saturday was an inspiring level of grit and determination to gut through something that is clearly limiting him.

Jon Krawczynski – The Athletic
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