MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards continues to amaze teammates and coaches with his extraordinary ability to perform at an elite level while battling significant knee problems during this year’s NBA playoffs.
Edwards delivered a spectacular 36-point effort in Sunday’s Game 4 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, pouring in 16 of those points during the decisive fourth quarter to help Minnesota even their second-round playoff series at 2-2 with a 114-109 win.
“Honestly, I think he would just now be coming back if he was like a normal human being, but he’s not,” teammate Mike Conley said following the victory. “We’re thankful for what he’s sacrificing for us and putting us on his back. We expect it from him. He expects it. So we just try to keep him healthy, keep him going forward.”
The standout guard made his return just nine days after suffering a hyperextended left knee that resulted in a deep bone bruise. Edwards contributed 18 points off the bench in 25 minutes during the series opener on May 4, then returned to the starting five for Game 3 at home Friday, logging 41 minutes of action.
Sunday’s contest saw Edwards play 40 minutes, including the entire fourth quarter — a strategy coach Chris Finch employed only three times during the regular season. Edwards also played the final 12 minutes in the first-round series opener at Denver on April 18, just one week before his most recent injury.
“Man, I’ve been doing a lot of stuff to get in shape. I’ve got the best physical therapist in the world when it comes to my body, David Hines, so big shoutout to him,” Edwards said, crediting the team’s vice president of medical operations and performance. “He’s on a whole other level when it comes to that stuff.”
The young star was restricted to just 61 games during the regular season — a career low — primarily due to ongoing right knee discomfort. Prior to this season, Edwards had never missed more than three games in any campaign.
“We’re lucky to have him. He’s special, no doubt, especially given what he’s been fighting through over the last month and a half,” Finch commented.
Edwards shot an impressive 13-of-22 from the field Sunday, connecting on 3-of-5 three-point attempts. He capitalized on Victor Wembanyama’s surprising ejection by attacking the basket, including a critical finger-roll layup through traffic with 2:24 remaining that gave Minnesota a four-point advantage.
Despite his heroics, Edwards remained self-critical afterward, questioning his and the starting unit’s effort during a sluggish third quarter while admitting to physical fatigue.
“I was gassed a little bit,” Edwards said, “so I came out like super low on energy, just walking up and down the floor.”
However, Edwards’ performance transcended mere determination and physical toughness. Playing on Mother’s Day, the guard drew deep motivation from honoring his late mother, Yvette Edwards, who passed away from cancer in 2015 when he was only 13 years old. His grandmother also died later that same year.
“I couldn’t lose this game for her,” Edwards said before acknowledging the unwavering support he’s received from family and close friends in Atlanta throughout the decade since losing his mother and grandmother. “It’s not a bunch of people that’s just willing to do anything you say. These people really want to see me succeed, and they don’t let me take a day off. They stay on me.”
True to his private nature, Edwards quickly redirected attention away from personal matters during the postgame media session at Target Center.
“So I appreciate everybody that’s in my circle, but that’s enough about me,” he said. “Just ask about my team.”
