Timberwolves' Edwards late for opening tipoff in return from injury

Minnesota star missed start of game against Mavericks after being listed as a starter.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:52am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, green, and orange, capturing the dynamic energy and motion of a basketball game in an abstract, deconstructed manner.A fragmented, cubist depiction of a tense NBA matchup, reflecting the disruption caused by a star player's late arrival.Dallas Today

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was set to make his return to the court on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks, but was late to the arena and missed the opening tipoff. Edwards was originally listed as a starter, but had to be replaced by Mike Conley at the last second. Edwards eventually checked in one minute into the first quarter.

Why it matters

Edwards is a key player for the Timberwolves, and his late arrival could have disrupted the team's preparation and chemistry at the start of the game. Missed tipoffs are relatively rare in the NBA, so this incident highlights the importance of punctuality and professionalism for star players.

The details

According to reports, Edwards was slated to be a starter for Minnesota's game against the Mavericks, but had to be replaced by veteran point guard Mike Conley at the last second because Edwards was late to the arena. Edwards did eventually check in one minute into the first quarter, subbing in for Conley.

  • Edwards was originally listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Mavericks.
  • Edwards was named as a member of the Timberwolves' starting lineup shortly before tipoff.
  • At the actual tipoff, Edwards was nowhere to be found and had to be replaced by Mike Conley.
  • Edwards checked into the game one minute into the first quarter.

The players

Anthony Edwards

A star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves who was set to make his return from a knee injury in Monday's game against the Mavericks.

Mike Conley

A veteran point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves who had to start in place of the late-arriving Anthony Edwards.

Dallas Mavericks

The opposing team that the Timberwolves were playing on Monday night.

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What’s next

It's unclear if Edwards will face any disciplinary action from the Timberwolves for his tardiness. The team and league will likely review the incident and determine if any punishment is warranted.

The takeaway

While star players occasionally miss the start of games due to unforeseen circumstances, Edwards' late arrival highlights the importance of professionalism and punctuality, even for the league's top talents. The Timberwolves will need Edwards to be more reliable as they push for a playoff spot.