DENVER — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards faces a minimum one-week absence due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise, the team officially announced Monday ahead of Game 5 in their first-round NBA playoff matchup against Denver.
Medical imaging revealed no structural damage to Edwards’ knee, providing some relief to the organization after the injury occurred during the second quarter of their Game 4 win against the Nuggets. However, his participation in potential second-round playoff action remains uncertain. Team officials have labeled his condition as week-to-week, suggesting Edwards could miss the start of any subsequent playoff series before receiving medical clearance to play.
“With the two injuries we had in one game, it was as positive as you can get it,” guard Mike Conley told reporters after the team’s pregame shootaround in Denver. “Obviously we want him to get healthy. We want him to be recovered as quickly as he can, but his health is No. 1. He knows his body. When his body’s ready, he’s going to fight through it. We know if we can get out of the series, we’ll get him back.”
The Timberwolves entered Game 5 holding a commanding 3-1 series advantage over Denver but also suffered another significant loss when starting guard Donte DiVincenzo sustained a ruptured right Achilles tendon during the early moments of Game 4, ending his postseason and sidelining him for most of next season.
Edwards finished the regular season with an average of 28.8 points per game, ranking third in the NBA behind Dallas’ Luka Doncic and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City. This season marked Edwards’ most injury-plagued campaign, missing 21 games primarily due to a right knee issue.
