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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 20: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves plays the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game Two of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are just one series victory away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. They hold a commanding 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets after a gritty Game 4 win on Saturday night.

Minnesota will return to Denver on Monday for a chance to close out the Nuggets and punch its ticket to the next round. But heading into the matchup, the Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards.

Positive Signs Emerge for Anthony Edwards’ Eventual Return

Edwards hyperextended his left knee and suffered a bone bruise in the second quarter on Saturday. The initial diagnosis placed him to miss an extended time, however, that may not be the exact case.

GettyAnthony Edwards’ MRI results led to a shift in his recovery timeline after a doctor revised his outlook.

Timberwolves reporter Jon Krawczynski shared a significant update Monday afternoon and confirmed from team sources on the potential return to action for their 24-year-old Minnesota star.

“Everything I’m told, backed by what Chris Finch said to @PAOnTheMic this morning, is that Anthony Edwards fully intends to return to the playoffs at some point, if the Wolves can stay in the fight. If they advance, my gut says their next opponent will see him at some point,” Krawczynski wrote on X.

Edwards is technically ruled out for Game 5 and likely the rest of the first round if it ends sooner. A quick recovery can see him play some part in the next round but realistically, the Conference Finals will be a probable return if they make it that far.

The good news in this bad situation is that no structural ligament damage occurred, which provided some relief. However, bone bruises typically require 2-4 weeks of recovery, and in some cases longer for high-impact athletes like Edwards.

TWolves Must Adapt With Key Injuries 

Edwards was actually the second Wolves starter to go down in the first half in Game 4. Donte DiVincenzo ruptured his right Achilles tendon just 79 seconds into the game. 

He underwent surgery in New York on Sunday and is out indefinitely. By indefinitely, it means a nine to 12-month timeline required for recovery from that injury.

Edwards finished third in scoring this season despite playing the lowest number of games in his career. He averaged a career-high 28.8 points, and he is still the clear engine of Minnesota’s offense. His absence forces adjustments and role players like Ayo Dosunmo seem to have taken some scoring responsibilities.

The latest word from inside the organization suggests optimism. Head coach Chris Finch struck a hopeful tone about Edwards even in the immediate reality. 

“We do know that if we keep extending this playoff series, he is going to come back,” the coach said. “And he generally comes back ahead of the timeline.”

Seeing off this first-round series may not be much of a hassle for Minnesota at the moment. In Game 4, they pulled away 112-96 despite the early exits of both Edwards and DiVincenzo. Dosunmo scored a playoff career-high 43 points from the bench — the most playoff points by a bench player in 50 years.

The Wolves’ role players have stepped up throughout the series, and the defensive identity remains intact. They held a Nikola Jokic-led Denver team to below 100 points in Games 3 and 4.

How the second will unfold without Edwards remains to be seen, but that will be known if they cross the first round bridge.