The Minnesota Timberwolves endured a postseason defined by injuries, but perhaps none carried more significance than the knee injury suffered by Anthony Edwards during the team’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
A recent report from The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski revealed the initial fear Edwards felt after suffering the injury, offering a glimpse into one of the most challenging moments of his career.
Krawczynski detailed how Edwards, who had built a reputation for quickly recovering from hard falls and physical setbacks, immediately sensed something was different this time.
“During his six seasons, he had crashed to the court countless times. He would writhe on the floor, pull himself up, hobble to the back and emerge minutes later looking no worse for wear after vice president of medical operations David Hines worked his magic.
Not this time.
For the first time in his NBA career, Edwards’ seemingly impermeable confidence was punctured. The body that has seemed almost indestructible suddenly felt compromised. A look of worry washed over Edwards’ face unlike anything Nick Maddox, Edwards’ best friend, had ever seen before.
‘It’s over, bruh,’ Edwards told him.”
Maddox refused to accept that outlook.
“It ain’t over with,” Maddox said to him. “God says when it’s over with.”
Fortunately for Minnesota, an MRI revealed that Edwards had avoided major ligament damage. Instead, he suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The injury compounded existing runner’s knee inflammation he had already been managing in his right leg.
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Anthony Edwards’ rapid injury comeback inspired Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket while defended by San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half of game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center.
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Doctors initially estimated roughly two weeks of recovery, creating uncertainty about whether Edwards would return during the postseason.
Instead, the 24-year-old attacked rehabilitation with urgency. According to Krawczynski, Edwards spent extensive time in a hyperbaric chamber, worked through pool exercises and embraced every available recovery method.
The effort paid off. Edwards returned in just nine days, significantly ahead of expectations. Many around the organization believed Game 3 would be the earliest possible return date, yet he suited up for Game 1 of Minnesota’s second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs and scored 18 points in 25 minutes during a road victory.
“Ant’s a warrior, man,” Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland said after the season. “It’s a tribute to how much he loves the game, just battling so many injuries and coming back.”
Though Minnesota’s season ultimately ended in a six-game second-round loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Spurs, Edwards’ recovery became one of the franchise’s defining stories. His willingness to play through pain and embrace a larger leadership role provided optimism for a Timberwolves team preparing for a pivotal offseason and the start of a new era following its recent rebrand.
The Minnesota Timberwolves endured a postseason defined by injuries, but perhaps none carried more significance than the knee injury suffered by Anthony Edwards during the team’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. A recent report from The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski revealed the initial fear Edwards felt after suffering the injury, offering a glimpse into one of the most challenging moments of his career.