Anthony Edwards (Illness) in Timberwolves Starting Lineup vs Nuggets

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Things have not gone all that well for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. After a trip to the Western Conference Finals, a blockbuster trade shook up the core. Anthony Edwards has worked to gel with Julius Randle but the results have been middling at best.

On Saturday, facing a very familiar West foe, there was major concern all the way up until tip off that head coach Chris Finch would be without his superstar guard Thankfully, that didn’t end up being the case.

Anthony Edwards starts vs Nuggets, despite illness

As things stand through 44 games, the Minnesota Timberwolves are just two wins above .500, at 23-21. Chris Finch has struggled to work through his rotations, but losing Edwards would have magnified the problem by a number we don’t even want to start calculating.

Related: Up-to-Date Minnesota Timberwolves Depth Chart and Injury Report

Despite being at home, the Timberwolves went into this game as +4.5 point underdogs. That did account for the possibility that Edwards would not be on the floor, after he showed up on the injury report Friday. Being Ant was able to start today’s game, his attendance on the 2024-25 season remains spotless.

Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t afford to lose Ant

Through the Wolves first 44 contests, Ant is averaging a career-best 26.2 points per game. His 42.6% three-point success has been impressive, and he’s launching from deep at a clip of 9.8 per game. He will no have a chance to add onto that today.

Each of the past two seasons Edwards has played in 79 of a possible 82 games. He has never played less than 72 games in a season. Despite a physical style on the court, he has been a pillar of health. It would be unfortunate to see something like an illness keep him off the court.

Last year, the Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals. This is their second matchup of the 2024-25 season. The two squads faced off for their fifth game of the year. Minnesota won that contest, also at home, by a score of 119-116.

Related: Timberwolves Insiders: Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Julius Randle Trade

Already down Donte DiVincenzo, the Minnesota backcourt couldn’t really afford to lose another starter, especially in a nationally televised Saturday game vs the Denver Nuggets. Mike Conley has resumed his position as a starter, in DiVincenzo’s absence, which has led to more Rob Dillingham… which we won’t complain about here.

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