Star guard Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves is expected to be sidelined for several weeks due to a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, according to ESPN.
An MRI scan confirmed the injury to Edwards, though reports indicate there was no ligament damage to his knee.
Donte DiVincenzo, another starting guard for Minnesota, will be unavailable for the remainder of the season due to an Achilles tear.
Both key players for the Timberwolves exited Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets before halftime. Despite these absences, Minnesota secured a 110-96 victory in Game 4, advancing to a 3-1 series lead.
Both the Nuggets and Timberwolves are awaiting potential disciplinary actions following Nikola Jokić’s push on Jaden McDaniels late in Saturday’s contest. Jokić and Julius Randle were both removed from the game after the altercation.
DiVincenzo’s injury happened just one minute and 19 seconds into his playing time, appearing to be a non-contact incident. The team later confirmed a torn right Achilles tendon, with surgery scheduled for Sunday in New York.
Following the game, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch commented on the injury:
“This is absolutely heartbreaking for Donte. He’s had a phenomenal season. He embodies the spirit and core of much of our team’s efforts. When it happened, you could tell from his expression what was wrong. We’re going to support him fully and stand by him.”
DiVincenzo collapsed after missing a 3-point shot and then planting his foot to pursue the rebound. He quickly exited to the locker room, managing to walk independently, and the Timberwolves soon confirmed his removal from the game.
During the halftime break, television coverage displayed DiVincenzo in a wheelchair, his right leg encased in a splint.
Subsequently, just prior to the conclusion of the first half, Edwards landed uncomfortably on his left leg, seemingly hyperextending his knee. He dropped to the floor, remaining there briefly and hitting the court in clear distress; he required assistance to walk off to the tunnel.
Trainers examined Edwards during the intermission, leading to Mike Conley taking over as point guard for the second half. By the middle of the third quarter, the team declared Edwards out of the game as well, citing a left knee injury.
Minnesota began Saturday’s match holding a 2-1 series advantage against the Nuggets. Temporarily, it seemed Denver might level the series, maintaining a slight lead for the majority of the second and third periods. However, the Timberwolves surged ahead in the final quarter to ultimately secure the victory.
In the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu delivered a standout performance for Minnesota, achieving a personal best of 43 points from a reserve role. According to the broadcast, Dosunmu became only the fourth player in NBA history to score over 40 points as a substitute in a playoff match.
