Anthony Edwards to Play Game 1 on Minutes Restriction After Rapid Recovery from Knee Injury

Key facts

• Anthony Edwards suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise in Game 4 against Denver on April 25.
• Edwards missed Games 5 and 6 of the first-round series but avoided ligament damage.
• He received medical clearance to play nine days after the injury, following on-court drills Monday.
• Timberwolves coach Chris Finch confirmed Edwards is in the lineup for Game 1 on a minutes restriction.
• Edwards will come off the bench; Terrence Shannon Jr. starts in his place.
• Minnesota also lists Ayo Dosunmu as questionable (right calf soreness); Donte DiVincenzo is out for season (torn Achilles).
• Game 1 tips at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local) in San Antonio.

Edwards Cleared for Game 1 After Swift Recovery

Anthony Edwards will play in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, a remarkably quick return from a left knee injury that initially threatened to sideline him for multiple weeks. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch confirmed the decision in his pregame news conference, stating simply, “He’s in.” Edwards suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on April 25. The injury forced him to miss the final two games of that series, but he avoided more serious ligament damage. The typical recovery time for such an injury is around a month, yet Edwards received medical clearance after just nine days. He got final clearance after going through on-court drills Monday afternoon. The Timberwolves later announced their starting lineup with Terrence Shannon Jr. in place of Edwards, meaning the All-Star guard will come off the bench. Finch told reporters that Edwards would be on a minutes restriction but did not specify the limit.

A Dramatic Shift in Injury Status Over 24 Hours

As recently as Sunday afternoon, the outlook for Edwards’ availability was far more pessimistic. ESPN’s on “NBA Tip-Off” Sunday that Edwards was not expected to play in Game 1 or Game 2, targeting a return in Game 3 or Game 4 at the earliest. Charania noted that Minnesota planned to be “conservative” with Edwards, partly due to inflammation in his right knee that had sidelined him during the regular-season stretch run. Yet the equation changed swiftly. On Sunday afternoon, the Timberwolves upgraded Edwards’ injury status to questionable, a surprise announcement that hinted at a possible return. According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Edwards was not on the sideline for Game 6 against Denver because he was working on his rehab and receiving treatment in hopes of playing against the Spurs if the Timberwolves advanced. His knee responded well enough over the weekend to make Game 1 a possibility.

Timberwolves Battle Injuries but Advance Past Nuggets

Minnesota closed out the Denver Nuggets in six games, winning Game 6 on Thursday night behind strong performances from Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. The Timberwolves did so despite missing Edwards for Games 5 and 6, and without Donte DiVincenzo, who suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4 and is out for the remainder of the season. Ayo Dosunmu missed the first-round clincher due to right calf soreness and is listed as questionable for Game 1. If he remains sidelined, Bones Hyland and Mike Conley could see increased roles. The Timberwolves have shown resilience, pushing through pain to eliminate the defending champions and earn a spot in the Western Conference semifinals.

Spurs Enter Series as Favorites with Wembanyama Leading the Way

San Antonio enters the series as a formidable favorite after a 62-win regular season and a five-game first-round victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year at age 22, set a franchise record with 35 points in his playoff debut during Game 1. He finished the series averaging 21 points, 8.8 rebounds and four blocks, with shooting splits of 58.3/53.8/91.3 percent despite missing two games due to concussion protocol. The Spurs survived a brief scare when Wembanyama missed Game 3 after his head slammed against the floor in Game 2. Without him, San Antonio held steady and took a 2-1 lead behind Stephon Castle’s 33 points. Wembanyama returned for Game 4, and the Spurs rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to win by 15 or more, the first team in playoff history to achieve that margin. They closed out the series with a 114-95 win at home. De’Aaron Fox averaged 20.2 points and 6.8 assists on 50 percent shooting. Castle posted 19.8 points and six assists per game. Both Dylan Harper (50 percent) and Julian Champagnie (61.9 percent) shot well from three-point range. Head coach Mitch Johnson, in his first full season, notched his inaugural playoff advancement.

A Series Defined by French Towers and Playoff Inexperience

The Western Conference semifinal pits two French 7-footers against each other: Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year who just shut down Nikola Jokić in the first round. Wembanyama is the league’s reigning DPOY, while Gobert brings a wealth of playoff experience. The matchup is a focal point of the series. San Antonio is preciously low on playoff experience. Wembanyama, Castle, Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell are all making their postseason debuts. The Spurs have played beyond their years, but margins shrink even further in May. Minnesota, battle-tested and tough, pursues its third straight conference finals berth. The Timberwolves have been to the conference finals in each of the past two seasons, while the Spurs are trying to win a second playoff series for the first time since 2017.

What’s at Stake and What Comes Next

Game 1 tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local) in San Antonio, with the Timberwolves aiming to steal home-court advantage. The series schedule includes Game 2 on Wednesday in San Antonio, then Games 3 and 4 in Minnesota on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Edwards’ minutes restriction could shape the early games, as the Timberwolves manage his workload while trying to keep pace with a deep Spurs team. For Minnesota, the return of Edwards — even in a limited role — provides a significant boost. The Timberwolves have shown they can win without him, but his scoring and playmaking are crucial against a Spurs team that swept through the first round with ease. The series promises to be a clash of styles: San Antonio’s futuristic, high-octane offense versus Minnesota’s gritty, defensive-minded approach. The Timberwolves’ ability to withstand injuries and still advance speaks to their depth and resilience. But the Spurs, with Wembanyama at the helm, present a daunting challenge. The outcome of this series could hinge on how quickly Edwards ramps up and whether Minnesota’s supporting cast can continue to deliver.

The bottom line

• Anthony Edwards will play in Game 1 on a minutes restriction, coming off the bench, just nine days after a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
• Edwards missed Games 5 and 6 of the first round but avoided ligament damage, allowing a faster-than-expected return.
• The Timberwolves are also without Donte DiVincenzo (torn Achilles) and may be without Ayo Dosunmu (calf soreness) for Game 1.
• San Antonio enters as favorites after a 62-win season and a five-game first-round victory, led by Victor Wembanyama.
• Wembanyama averaged 21 points, 8.8 rebounds and four blocks in the first round, with historic shooting efficiency.
• The series features a marquee matchup between French 7-footers Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, with contrasting playoff experience levels.