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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The San Antonio Spurs entered the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs as heavy favorites.
They were rested, healthy, and riding high after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games. But a new report about Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has just made things a lot more complicated for San Antonio.
GettyAnthony Edwards’ injury timeline is now clearer after insider update
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Anthony Edwards is now targeting a return as early as Game 3 or Game 4 of this series. Edwards got his first workouts in over the weekend and even traveled with the Timberwolves to San Antonio, which signals real progress in his recovery.
Charania stated, “Anthony Edwards himself is hopeful that he could push to be back in the lineup, potentially game three or game four at the earliest. It’s really just going to be about how he feels, how his rehab goes on a daily basis.”
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For the Spurs, this is not the news they wanted to hear. Minnesota entered this series as massive 13.5-point underdogs in Game 1, with oddsmakers nearly pricing in a sweep. A healthy Edwards completely changes that math.
GettyMinnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards could return soon
The Spurs’ optimal outcome was to finish the series early if Edwards wouldn’t get a chance to come back. The Timberwolves without their main player are hardly themselves offensively. I agree they were strong against the Nuggets, but the opponent is much more difficult now.
Besides losing Donte DiVincenzo, who could be unavailable for the rest of the playoffs, the Wolves’ offense is largely dependent on Edwards for creation, attack, and scoring.
If Edwards’ return for Game 3 in Minnesota might completely change the flow of the game. The Timberwolves have demonstrated they are a tough, experienced team through their series with Denver, and having their superstar back for a very tight series is almost a nightmare for San Antonio.
In my view, the Spurs must treat Games 1 and 2 as must-win opportunities. A 2-0 lead heading back to Minnesota would at least reduce the urgency around Edwards’ return and put enormous pressure on a Wolves team already short-handed.
GettyVictor Wembanyama is the ultimate weapon against the Timberwolves
Even if Edwards is back, the Spurs still have the most dominant player of the series – and probably in the entire playoffs on their team.
Victor Wembanyama put up 21 points, 8.8 rebounds, and four blocks per game against the Trail Blazers, snapping up the jaw-dropping total of 84 points on the level of 58.3% shooting. Just in Game 1, he scored 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting in a playoff record-breaking debut.
Wembanyama is just a completely different class player at the moment. In addition to a top-notch offense, shot-blocking, and defensive versatility, he has the physical abality that make him almost impossible to plan for – even for a fully fit Anthony Edwards.
As long as Wemby is able to keep up his strength on the court, the Spurs will be very confident in themselves, no matter when Edwards is back.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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