For the last several weeks of the season, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards missed time due to right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. He was questionable heading into Saturday’s Game 1 matchup against the Denver Nuggets and before the game, head coach Chris Finch spoke on the injury.
“This is the first year that I’ve ever seen anything different where he’s been frustrated by not feeling 100 percent,” Finch said. “He’s always played through little injuries, but I think this one, more than ever, felt it impinged the way he was able to play. But he looks good. He feels good right now. It’s just about getting him in the rhythm of the game, which is hard to do in the playoffs. But I know he’s ready for it.”
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The Timberwolves went on to take an 11-point loss while Edwards finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on 7-of-19 shooting.
Those numbers aren’t bad, but Edwards didn’t appear to feel like himself on Saturday. He struggled to get going from outside and didn’t have his usual explosiveness off the dribble.
After the loss, Edwards said he just needed some time to shake off the rust after a prolonged absence.
“I felt good. I mean, a little fatigued. I haven’t played in like a month, month-and-a-half, so a little fatigued,” Edwards said. “But that was expected. Other than that, I felt good.”
Edwards is the cornerstone of the Timberwolves’ entire offensive system, so his healthy and availability is by far their biggest key to success in a series which they’re already the underdogs in.
In recent years, the Nuggets haven’t been able to slow Edwards down. He’s used his elite first step, impressive shot creation and smooth sharpshooting to dominate Denver individually, while doing a solid job of bothering Jamal Murray on the defensive end.
Heading into Game 2, all eyes are on him as the Wolves look to even the score.
James Parker contributed to this story.
