A hush fell over the Target Center crowd tonight as Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards limped off the court and headed to the locker room after appearing to roll his ankle in the second quarter of a critical matchup. With the Wolves jockeying for playoff position in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the sight of their franchise cornerstone in visible pain has fans and teammates holding their breath.
The injury occurred midway through the second quarter during a routine drive to the basket. Edwards planted his right foot to make a sudden cut, but his ankle appeared to turn awkwardly beneath him. He immediately grimaced and crumpled to the hardwood, clutching his leg as players from both teams quickly signaled to the bench. After a few tense moments, Edwards was helped to his feet by trainers and teammates and limped off under his own power — a small relief in an otherwise alarming moment.
He was promptly escorted to the locker room for evaluation and did not return to the bench for the remainder of the half. The Timberwolves have since ruled him questionable to return pending further examination.
A Massive Blow for Minnesota
Edwards has been the heart and soul of the Timberwolves this season, averaging over 26 points per game while providing leadership, explosiveness, and clutch scoring. At just 23 years old, he’s already become one of the most electrifying young stars in the NBA. His combination of elite athleticism, improved shot-making, and defensive tenacity has propelled Minnesota into the playoff hunt — and in some stretches, even into top-four territory in the West.
With Karl-Anthony Towns still recovering from a knee injury and Rudy Gobert dealing with a sore groin, Edwards has shouldered the bulk of the offensive and emotional load for this team. His absence, even for a short stretch, could drastically impact the Wolves’ seeding and postseason hopes.
Teammates React
After the game, teammate Mike Conley addressed the injury in a somber tone.
“You hate to see Ant go down like that,” Conley said. “He’s been our leader, our engine. Hopefully it’s not serious and he can get back soon. But we’ve got to be ready to hold it down until he’s back.”
Veteran forward Kyle Anderson echoed similar sentiments, calling Edwards “the heartbeat of this team.”
“He’s been incredible all year,” Anderson said. “You could feel the shift in energy when he went down. We just have to rally together now and keep playing hard.”
Coach Finch on the Situation
Head coach Chris Finch was cautious in his postgame comments, declining to speculate on the severity of the injury.
“We’re still evaluating it,” Finch said. “He turned his ankle, and obviously he was in some pain. We’ll know more tomorrow after we do some imaging. Right now, we’re just hoping for the best.”
Finch did note that Edwards was in “good spirits” after the game, though he remained in the locker room receiving treatment.
Playoff Implications Loom
With less than 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Timberwolves’ margin for error is slim. The Western Conference standings remain incredibly tight, with just a few games separating the third seed from the play-in bubble. Losing Edwards — even temporarily — could shift the balance for Minnesota and potentially force them into a dangerous play-in scenario.
The Wolves’ upcoming schedule doesn’t provide any relief either, featuring matchups against the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns — all playoff-caliber teams.
If Edwards is sidelined, the Timberwolves will need significant contributions from their bench and remaining starters to stay afloat. The offensive burden may fall on Conley and backup guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while the defense will have to step up collectively to make up for Edwards’ absence on both ends of the floor.
The Waiting Game Begins
For now, all eyes are on the Timberwolves’ medical staff. The hope is that the injury is no more than a mild sprain and that Edwards can return before the end of the regular season. But until further updates are released, Wolves fans — and basketball fans everywhere — are anxiously awaiting news on one of the league’s brightest young stars.
Stay tuned.
