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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 18: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up prior to playing the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

Minnesota Timberwolves fans held their breath as star Anthony Edwards incurred a knee injury with roughly 2 ½ minutes left in the first half of Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Edwards, 24, suffered the injury on a defensive play. He rotated over to contest Denver forward Cam Johnson’s layup. He exploded off the ground to block the shot and landed in jarring fashion.

Edwards immediately collapsed to the floor and stayed down as he held his knee. The look of the entire moment said it all. This was a no-joke injury that could crush the growing momentum of the Wolves’ season.

The 24-year-old Minnesota star was already dealing with right knee inflammation that started to plague him in the final weeks of the regular season. Entering Game 1 of this series against the Nuggets, there was real concern over Edwards’ health.

GettyAnthony Edwards suffered an apparent knee injury Saturday night.

The All-Star guard appeared on the injury report ahead of all four games in this series. Both Edwards and the Wolves were consistent in downplaying any concern of an injury, but Edwards’ play on the court, especially in Game 1, suggested otherwise.

The Wolves are now hoping for the best-case scenario on their star’s injury. In the meantime, they look to advance to the Western Conference semifinals after taking a commanding 3-1 with a win last night.

There is Hope Over Anthony Edwards’ Injury as Game 5 Looms

Of course, the look of Edwards on the ground in pain made Wolves fans fear for the worst. Just looking back at the replay showing Edwards’ left leg buckle awkwardly, it would be down-right flooring if Edwards played again in this series. 

But it may not completely rule out a return later this postseason. Minnesota will need to remain cautious given the knee injury he was already managing, but the longer the Wolves extend their season, the stronger the chances of Edwards making his way back.

According to Dr. Jesse Morse, there is a real best-case scenario at play that could come to fruition. We won’t learn the exact severity of Edwards’ injury until later today or even tomorrow, but here’s a reason to stay optimistic. 

Per BasketNews: “If Edwards and the Timberwolves are lucky, he will be diagnosed with a bone bruise, and/or a knee/capsule sprain. If that outcome happens, Edwards will be good to go on a days-to-weeks basis per Dr. Morse. Dr. Morse also claims that an ACL injury is still a possibility, revealing that even a torn ACL could still be a potential outcome, naming it as a worst-case scenario. If that occurs, Edwards will be forced not just to miss the rest of this season, but also the majority of the next one.”

Timberwolves Hoping for the Very Best as Series Shifts to Denver

Whether Edwards dodged a major bullet remains to be seen, but it certainly appears the All-Star guard won’t be back in the first round against the Nuggets considering the series has already gone through four games. 

The injury to Edwards is as unfortunate as it is ill-timed. With the Wolves perhaps concerned about Edwards’ health entering the postseason, there was a real possibility that Edwards’ hampered play would send the Wolves home early this spring. 

Instead, Minnesota is surprisingly up 3-0 in a series they weren’t the favorites coming into. Despite Edwards not having his fast ball due to injury, the Wolves have seen multiple names step up to the plate.

But if Edwards is sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs, that is a devastating blow to the team’s NBA Finals-level aspirations.

For now, the Wolves are ready to fly back to Denver with an opportunity to close out the first round series in five games.