Getty

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 04: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 04, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Friday in Minneapolis already felt heavy. After that ugly Game 2, the fan base and this whole series needed a little good news before the lights came on.

With Anthony Edwards still managing his knee, the latest pregame step gave the Timberwolves something real to hold onto.

Anthony Edwards Participating In Shootaround Is A Strong Sign For The Timberwolves

GettyAnthony Edwards Participates In Shootaround, On Track For Timberwolves Game 3

Anthony Edwards entered Game 3 listed as questionable because of a left knee bone bruise. Here is the update Wolves fans were waiting for.

“Status alert: Anthony Edwards (knee) participating in shootaround Friday.” That was the word from Underdog NBA, and it matters because Edwards already followed this same path earlier in the series before being cleared to play.

The bigger picture has been encouraging for days. Edwards suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee during the Denver series, and Timberwolves vice president of medical performance David Hines had pegged the recovery at “one to two weeks.” Instead, Edwards beat that timeline and returned in 10 days.

After Game 2, he gave the simplest possible answer when asked if the knee was still bothering him, “Not really. I feel good.” With the series tied 1-1, that matters.

His shootaround participation is the clearest sign yet that he is trending toward being available again, even if Minnesota still manages the workload.

The Wolves have brought him off the bench in both games against San Antonio, which has been the team’s cautious way of handling the knee while still getting his scoring punch on the floor.

In the last two games, Edwards has looked like himself in flashes. If we look at Game 1, he had 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in 25 minutes, shooting 8-for-13 and 2-for-3 from deep in a 104-102 win.

In Game 2, he scored 12 points in 24 minutes on 5-for-13 shooting before the blowout wrecked any normal rotation.

If Edwards is limited again, Mike Conley and Terrence Shannon look like the clearest minute gainers. Conley has already had to absorb more with Donte DiVincenzo out for the season after Achilles surgery.

Anthony Edwards’ Return Means Everything For The Timberwolves In Game 3

GettyMinnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is officially listed as questionable to play in Game 3.

That is why this update feels so big. Game 2 was one of the worst postseason loss in franchise history, a 133-95 collapse where Minnesota had 22 turnovers, scored only 35 points in the first half.

Those are the exact kinds of games where Edwards’ pressure on the rim changes everything, even if he is not yet ready for full starter minutes.

Edwards said it best after his return, “I know for a fact that me being out there calms everybody down.” Shootaround is not final clearance, but for a team heading into a pivotal home Game 3, it is exactly the kind of sign we needed.