The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to see the return of their star player, Anthony Edwards, in Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs. The matchup will take place on Monday evening at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT), as confirmed by head coach Chris Finch.
Anthony Edwards’ Injury Status
Edwards previously dealt with a left knee hyperextension during Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. After being sidelined for the last two games of that series, many anticipated a longer recovery. However, his recovery was quicker than expected, aided by multiple treatments, including hyperbaric chamber sessions, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Playing Time and Performance Outlook
Despite his return, Edwards will face limitations on his playing time. Finch mentioned that he may not start the game and will be under a minutes restriction. Before his injury, he had contributed five points in 17 minutes during the critical Game 4. He had been performing exceptionally well earlier in the series, with averages of:
- 23 points
- 8 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 1.7 blocks
Throughout the regular season, Edwards showcased his scoring ability, averaging 28.8 points, along with five rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals over 61 games.
Importance of Edwards Against Spurs
As the Timberwolves prepare to face the Spurs, who have the third-ranked defense in the league, Edwards’ scoring prowess will be critical. The team has also suffered another setback with starting guard Donte DiVincenzo being ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs due to injury. This places even more reliance on Edwards to deliver in this crucial game.
