The Minnesota Timberwolves were in a strong position in these NBA playoffs with a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets; however, injuries could play against them, especially with their star Anthony Edwards, who is out for tonight’s game, as after the MRI, the worst was confirmed.
The team recently put out a diagnosis regarding Edwards’ injury and when it plans to update his status, according to Brett Siegel. “The Timberwolves say an MRI on Anthony Edwards’ injured knee revealed a left knee hyperextension injury and bone bruise. Edwards will be considered week-to-week, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available,” Siegel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
But as mentioned, the Timberwolves were in a good position for this to happen, a series almost secured at 3-1. But who knows, Nikola Jokic is a phenomenal player, and the Wolves also deal with the absence of Donte DiVincenzo.
When will Edwards return?
Chris Finch is confident that Edwards will return later in the postseason, and he thinks it would be earlier than his timeline. “We do know that if we keep extending this playoff series, he is going to come back. And he generally comes back ahead of the timeline,” Finch said to reporters.
Anthony Edwards #5 of the Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets.
Which is ideal; however, it is not the same story for DiVicenzo, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4. Without both Edwards and DiVincenzo, that is, their starting backcourt sidelined, which means it is up to other players to step up.
But they are more than necessary pieces. Remember that if they win and advance to the conference semifinals, they would face the winner of the series between the Spurs and Blazers, which is 3-1 in favor of the Spurs, who are without a doubt one of the contenders led by Wembanyama.
The players who must step up
Ayo Dosunmu was the first player to step up in their absence, and he finished with 43 points in Game 4 and led them to a victory. He will have to continue to play well, and it would not be a surprise if he were moved into the starting lineup.
Bones Hyland and Mike Conley will also see increased minutes, and the hope is that they can impact the game at a high level. For now, the goal is to stay alive in the NBA playoffs as long as possible so that Edwards can come back.
