Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, sidelined since suffering a left knee bone bruise in the first round, could return to the lineup as early as Game 3 or Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, league sources told ESPN.
Edwards hyperextended his left knee while attempting a block in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on April 25 and has been managing ongoing inflammation in his right knee. He missed the rest of Minnesota’s first-round series, which the Timberwolves closed out with a 4-2 victory in Game 6 at home.
The second-round series opens Monday night in San Antonio. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night and Game 4 for Sunday night at Target Center — just past the two-week mark from the injury date.
Edwards is listed as week-to-week, but the team has expressed optimism for a midseries return if he meets recovery benchmarks. Timberwolves vice president of medical performance David Hines said in a YouTube video posted by the team that Edwards’ progress will depend on “pain management, mobility, functional strength” in the coming weeks.
“He can return sooner if he can hit all his metrics,” Hines said.
Edwards has traveled with the team to San Antonio and participated in light on-court workouts over the weekend. Known as a quick healer who pushes aggressively in rehab, especially in the playoffs, the 24-year-old All-Star also released video of himself running on an underwater treadmill as part of his recovery program.
The Timberwolves are significant underdogs against the 62-win Spurs, who earned the West’s No. 2 seed. Minnesota advanced without its leading scorer and faces a steep challenge early in the series.
Coach Chris Finch and the organization have stressed caution with Edwards’ return to avoid any setback. Still, sources indicate the window for his comeback could open during the home games in Minneapolis.
Edwards averaged career highs during the regular season and has been central to the Timberwolves’ postseason push. His potential availability in Game 3 or 4 could shift the momentum of a series that begins without him.
