The aspirations of the Minnesota Timberwolves to at least reach the Western Conference Finals have taken a major hit.
Anthony Edwards is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a left knee hyperextension with a bone bruise during Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets.
The injury occurred in the second quarter when Edwards landed awkwardly after challenging a Cam Johnson field goal attempt.
Edwards feel to the ground in a heap, clutching his left knee ; he had to be helped to the locker room, as he was unable to put any weight on the knee.
Here’s what matters:
- No ligament damage — that’s the best-case outcome given how it looked live
- Timeline: multiple weeks, meaning:
- He’s out for the rest of the first-round series
- Second round availability is in doubt if the Minnesota Timberwolves advance
- Injury happened on a bad landing while contesting a shot
Bigger picture
- Minnesota is up 3–1, so they should survive Round 1
- But this completely shifts their ceiling:
- Edwards is their engine offensively and emotionally
- Without him, they’re leaning heavily on depth guys
- It gets worse: Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles in the same game and is done for the playoffs
Real talk
If you’re looking at it from a contender lens:
- Best-case: Edwards returns mid–second round at less than 100%
- Worst-case: Wolves advance… but aren’t a real threat without him
Given how he’s been playing this year, this is the kind of injury that can flip the entire Western Conference bracket.
