The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and superstar Anthony Edwards, who has been dealing with a lingering knee injury over the past month, will play a massive role if the team from up North has any chance of beating the 2023 champions.
However, the Timberwolves recently announced concerning news as it relates to Edwards’ status for Game 1 of the series.
Minnesota and Denver have matched up in two of the last three postseasons, and as Edwards confirmed, it is a rivalry between the two. However, the Timberwolves will need their star healthy and available for the series.
Timberwolves Make Anthony Edwards Announcement Before Game 1 Vs Nuggets
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after making a three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Chase Center on March 13, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Edwards is officially listed as questionable for Game 1 of the Timberwolves vs Nuggets playoff series. He is dealing with the same knee injury that kept him out for all but three games over the past month.
When Edwards first went out, it was reported that he was dealing with right knee inflammation.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Edwards was, and still is, facing the same ‘runner’s knee’ injury that kept superstar Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors sidelined for two months.
“Edwards missed 11 of the last 14 games of the regular season with a tricky right knee injury. Finch said that Edwards was full go in practice this week, but it is unclear how close to 100 percent he is as Game 1 approaches,” Krawczynski recently wrote. “Steph Curry has the same injury and has said that it can be unpredictable in how it reacts from day to day.”
Edwards did play in the Timberwolves’ second-to-last game of the regular season, but his overall status has been up in the air over the past several weeks. As Krawczynski has reported, even Minnesota head coach Chris Finch and the team’s medical staff are unclear as to how healthy he truly is and will be when the playoffs begin.
However, outside of this recent knee injury, Edwards has rarely missed much time for health concerns throughout his career. He remains a top-tier playoff performer, and in a tough series against the Nuggets, it’s hard to see him not playing, unless the knee injury is an even larger issue than originally thought.
Anthony Edwards End-Of-Season Awards
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Partially due to the knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of the final stretch of the regular season, Edwards finished the year with just 61 games played.
While he did apply for an ‘Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge’ like Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham did, Edwards was denied for the appeal, and will not be considered for end-of-season awards, according to Shams Charania.
The NBA’s top insider revealed a statement that was given to ESPN by Edwards’ business manager, Justin Holland.
“Anthony and I appreciate the PA appealing his case. For me personally, I’m a bit confused at the clemency for Cade who missed time for something that happened on the court, and not Ant, who missed time for an infection, but ultimately you already know Ant isn’t trippin over it AT ALL,” Holland wrote. “He was mad he didn’t get to 65, but not because he missed out on awards, he was mad because it meant he didn’t get to play in all 82 – which is what he always tries to do for his teammates and fans. You know the only thing he wants is a ring!”
Edwards finished the season averaging 28.8 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 48.9% shooting, but the 61 games mean he’s ineligible for end-of-season awards.
But for now, Edwards’ injury status for Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs is all that matters for the Timberwolves at this point. As he’s questionable, his official status remains to be seen, but will likely be upgraded before the game against the Nuggets.
The Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets first-round playoff series tips off 2:30 pm CST on Saturday, April 18, available to watch and stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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