The Minnesota Timberwolves enter Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series facing increased scrutiny over the health of star guard Anthony Edwards. Minnesota trails the Denver Nuggets 1-0 after a 116-105 loss in Saturday’s opener at Ball Arena.
Edwards played through a right knee issue in Game 1 and logged heavy minutes despite missing significant time late in the regular season. His status matters greatly for Minnesota as it looks to avoid returning home in a 2-0 series hole against a Denver team led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
The latest update gives the Timberwolves reason for optimism. Edwards is participating in the shootaround on Monday.
Anthony Edwards Injury Update Gives Minnesota Timberwolves Hope
GettyMinnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
Edwards was also listed as questionable before the series opener and then played 38 minutes. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
The Timberwolves will need that level of all-around production again, and likely more, as they try to even the series on Denver’s home floor.
After Game 1, Edwards said his body responded well despite the long layoff.
“I felt good,” Edwards said. He added, “I mean, a little fatigued. I haven’t played in like a month, month-and-a-half, so a little fatigued. But that was expected. Other than that, I felt good.”
That quote may be the most encouraging sign for Minnesota. Fatigue after limited recent action is expected, but Edwards did not indicate that the knee worsened during the game.
The All-Star guard missed 11 of the Timberwolves’ final 14 regular-season games because of knee inflammation. Even so, he returned in time for the playoffs and still handled a full workload in the opener.
During the regular season, Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three-point range.
Chris Finch Need Better Anthony Edwards Performance Vs Denver Nuggets
GettyMinnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
Although Edwards filled the stat sheet in Game 1, he was not at his usual offensive standard. He shot 7-for-19 from the field and 2-for-9 from three-point range as Denver’s defense made him work throughout the night.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged the rust after the opener.
“It looked like a rusty game back,” Finch said of Edwards’s performance.
Finch also noted how unusual the situation has been for his star player.
“This is the first year that I’ve ever seen anything different where he’s been frustrated by not feeling 100 percent. He’s always played through little injuries, but I think this one, more than ever, felt it impinged the way he was able to play.”
Denver used Christian Braun as a primary defender and sent extra help on drives, limiting Edwards’ downhill attacks. Minnesota will need cleaner spacing and stronger secondary scoring in Game 2 to reduce that pressure.
Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels are among the players who could help ease the burden after inconsistent performances in the opener.
Still, the Timberwolves’ path to leveling the series likely starts with Edwards being on the floor and closer to full strength.
Game 2 tips off Monday night in Denver, where Minnesota will look to split the road games before the series shifts back to Target Center. For now, the official designation remains questionable, but the latest update appears more encouraging than alarming, given Edwards’ recent pattern and postgame comments.
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