The Minnesota Timberwolves may be facing a difficult reality after Anthony Edwards’ injury in Game 4, as early medical reactions have cast serious doubt on his chances of returning in the series against the Denver Nuggets.
Edwards suffered an apparent left knee injury during the second quarter after hyperextending his leg while contesting a shot at the rim. The injury occurred with 2:42 remaining in the first half, and he required assistance as he made his way back to the locker room, per Dane Moore of The Dane Moore NBA Podcast. He was quickly ruled questionable to return.
Doctor Casts Doubt on Edwards’ Return Timeline
Shortly after the play, sports medicine physician Dr. Brian Sutterer offered a sobering outlook.
“I’ll be shocked if we see Anthony Edwards back this series (best case), and yes, this has the potential to be far worse,” Sutterer wrote on X.
He added that hyperextension injuries are “extremely hard to assess severity from video alone,” underscoring the uncertainty until imaging results are available.
Hyperextension Raises ACL Concern
GettyAnthony Edwards reacts in pain after suffering an apparent left knee injury during Game 4 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
Another sports medicine expert, Dr. Evan Jeffries, pointed to the specific mechanism of the injury as a red flag.
“This [is] a hyperextension mechanism for Anthony Edwards. What we are concerned for — worst case scenario: ACL tear. Best case scenario: bone bruise/joint capsule injury,” Jeffries wrote.
Hyperextension places significant stress on the knee’s ligaments—particularly the ACL—making it one of the more concerning injury mechanisms in basketball, especially in high-speed, in-game situations.
Even Best-Case Scenario May Sideline Edwards
Sutterer later emphasized that even a relatively mild diagnosis could keep Edwards out longer than the Timberwolves can afford.
“Even a mild bone bruise is often a couple of weeks, and Game 7 is in 7 days,” he noted.
That timeline presents a major challenge for Minnesota, even if Edwards avoids structural ligament damage.
Timberwolves Facing Mounting Injury Concerns
GettyDonte DiVincenzo reacts during Game 4 as the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Denver Nuggets, shortly before exiting with a concerning non-contact lower leg injury.
Before exiting, Edwards had points and three rebounds in 17 minutes, helping keep Minnesota within striking distance. The Timberwolves trailed Denver 54-50 at halftime, highlighting how critical his presence could be in a tight game.
The situation is further complicated by the earlier loss of Donte DiVincenzo, who exited with a non-contact lower leg injury that doctors feared could involve the Achilles. If both injuries prove significant, Minnesota could be forced into a major rotation overhaul mid-series.
Awaiting Official Diagnosis
The Timberwolves are expected to conduct further evaluation, including imaging, to determine the full extent of Edwards’ injury. Knee injuries often require scans to confirm ligament damage and establish a recovery timeline.
For now, Minnesota—and the broader NBA community—await clarity. But based on early medical insight, even the most optimistic scenario may still carry significant consequences for the Timberwolves’ playoff hopes.
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