Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards' Knee Injury Looms Over Playoff Series

Timberwolves star's status uncertain as team faces Nuggets in first-round matchup

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:31am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game with fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conveying the high-stakes tension of the Timberwolves-Nuggets playoff matchup.The Timberwolves' playoff hopes rest heavily on the health of star guard Anthony Edwards as the team faces the Nuggets in the first round.Denver Today

The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but the status of Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards' knee injury is a major question mark heading into the series. Edwards is expected to play, but the extent of his injury remains unclear.

Why it matters

Edwards is the Timberwolves' leading scorer and one of the league's rising young stars. His health will be crucial to Minnesota's chances of upsetting the higher-seeded Nuggets, who are led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

The details

The Timberwolves announced that Edwards suffered a knee injury in the team's final regular season game. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but Edwards is expected to play in Game 1 against the Nuggets. Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels said he is also dealing with an injury but expects to be ready for the series. The Nuggets will be without forward Peyton Watson due to injury.

  • The Timberwolves and Nuggets will tip off their first-round playoff series on April 15, 2026.
  • Edwards suffered his knee injury in the Timberwolves' final regular season game on April 12, 2026.

The players

Anthony Edwards

The Timberwolves' All-Star guard and leading scorer, whose status for the playoff series is uncertain due to a knee injury.

Jaden McDaniels

A Timberwolves forward who is also dealing with an injury but expects to play in the series.

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' two-time MVP, who will lead Denver against the Timberwolves in the first-round matchup.

Peyton Watson

A Nuggets forward who will miss the series due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to play. I'm going to play.”

— Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Guard

“I'm good. I'll be ready to go.”

— Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves Forward

What’s next

The Timberwolves and Nuggets will tip off their first-round playoff series on April 15, 2026 in Denver.

The takeaway

The health of Anthony Edwards will be the key storyline as the Timberwolves look to pull off an upset against the higher-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. If Edwards can play at close to full strength, Minnesota has a chance, but his injury status will loom large over the series.