Anthony Edwards injury update, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Anthony Edwards has missed the last four games for the Minnesota Timberwolves with a hamstring injury, but recently returned to on-court action, and is now listed as questionable against the New York Knicks.
A simple postgame conversation between Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Atlanta Hawks standout Jalen Johnson turned into a viral moment during the NBA All-Star weekend.
When cameras caught Edwards complimenting the Hawks’ roster and stating that he couldn’t “wait to go home,” it sent shockwaves across the league.
Edwards, an Atlanta-born guard, had Timberwolves fans worried that he might be on pace to push his way out in due time. Following the Timberwolves’ February 20 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Edwards addressed the conversation and assured the public that he’s just fine where he’s at.
Anthony Edwards dunking
GettyAnthony Edwards has proven to be the face of the Timberwolves’ franchise.
Anthony Edwards Clears The Air On The Jalen Johnson Conversation
“I don’t think it’s nothing for real,” Edwards told reporters. “It wasn’t too much, I’ve been knowing Jalen Johnson for a long time. That’s my dog. We were just having a conversation. I’m happy where I’m at.”
Edwards plays in a time when market size is talked about more than ever in the NBA. When it comes to stars—old and young—there’s always an assumption that one of the “big” markets will eventually pry away players from the “small” markets. Minnesota falls under that latter category.
But Edwards claims to be happy where he’s at. Despite being from Atlanta and playing college ball at Georgia, Edwards started his professional career with the Timberwolves up North, and he doesn’t want the on-court conversation to be made into something bigger than what it is.
“[Minnesota] embraced me. A lot of people didn’t think I was worthy of the number one pick, and they did. I think that’s the main thing.”
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, 30-point games record
GettyAnthony Edwards shoots down the narrative that he wants to leave the Timberwolves for Atlanta.
Sticking In Minnesota For The Long Haul
Edwards is clearly the Timberwolves’ franchise player at 24 years old. After the Wolves took him No. 1 overall in 2020, they eventually signed him to a $244 million contract over five years. He’s in year two of the deal.
Next year, Edwards is slated to make $48.9 million. That number will exceed $50 million in 2027, and will go as high as $55.6 million in 2028-2029. The next time Edwards could have a chance to leave Minnesota on his own terms is in the summer of 2029.
The current NBA landscape has proven that there are very few untouchables, and anything can happen when it comes to the trade market. The Luka Doncic saga from 2024-2025 is the perfect example.
But there haven’t been any indications of a potential split for Edwards and the Timberwolves this season. After a win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Timberwolves advanced to 35-22. They are fifth in the Western Conference, trailing the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When it comes to a competitive Western Conference, the Timberwolves are contenders. You couldn’t say the same about the Atlanta Hawks on the other side of the league. At 27-31, the Hawks are in the Play-In picture, sitting in ninth place.
If winning is what motivates Edwards, who already landed the big contract, then he’s in the right place already. There will be skeptics, especially due to the viral conversation in Los Angeles, but Edwards shot down any idea that he wants to head to Atlanta for basketball purposes.