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Anthony Edwards is battling through a knee injury

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a strong position. A 113-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday gave Minnesota a 2-1 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup, and the Wolves controlled large portions of that game from start to finish. With Game 4 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, the opportunity to take a commanding series lead is right there.

The health of Anthony Edwards has been a storyline worth tracking since before the series began. The four-time All-Star missed 11 of Minnesota’s final 14 regular season games with knee issues, and his conditioning coming into the playoffs was a legitimate concern after such an extended absence.

Ahead of Game 4, the latest update was an encouraging one.

Finch Gives Encouraging Anthony Edwards Knee Update

GettyAnthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Head coach Chris Finch addressed the media ahead of Game 4 and did not shy away from the topic. His assessment was straightforward. According to Finch: “all signs are pointing that it is getting better.”

That update carried extra weight given where Edwards was just days ago. He entered Game 3 listed as questionable due to right knee injury maintenance, suited up anyway, and played 24 minutes in a dominant Timberwolves win. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 6-of-15 shooting. Not his sharpest performance, but a functional one from a player still working his way back to full form.

Edwards was subsequently removed from the Game 4 injury report entirely.

What Edwards Has Said About His Knee

Edwards was candid after Game 1 about where he was physically. He acknowledged the fatigue that comes with returning from a lengthy absence, noting he had not played in close to a month and a half. In his words: “a little fatigued. I haven’t played in like a month, month-and-a-half, so a little fatigued. But that was expected.“

The numbers through three games reflect that adjustment period. Edwards is averaging 23.0 points per game this postseason while shooting 39% from the field and 25% from three. For context, across his first four playoff runs he averaged 26.9 points per game on significantly more efficient splits. The gap between where he is now and where he has been is visible.

The encouraging part is the trajectory. He played through a questionable designation in Game 3 and came out the other side with a cleaner injury report heading into Game 4.

Final Word for the Timberwolves

Minnesota holds a 2-1 series lead with a chance to put Denver in a difficult spot Saturday night. Edwards getting healthier by the day only adds to that picture.

The Nuggets are a dangerous team regardless of the circumstances. But a Timberwolves squad with an increasingly healthy Edwards is a different proposition than what Denver has seen so far in this series.

Game 4 tips off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The knee is trending the right way.