Anthony Edwards Shares Injury Update After Game 1 Against Spurs

Postgame, Edwards provided details on his recovery process and how he was able to be ready for Monday.

“Right after the injury, I think the main thing was trying to keep [the knee] from being stiff,” Edwards said. “I think I got the best physical therapist in the world in David Hines… he got me right.”

Asked if he felt limited during the game and what his minutes restriction would look like moving forward, Edwards said:

“I felt great. I don’t think I’m limited at all. Minutes wise — whatever coach needs from me,” (via ESPN’s Anthony Slater).

Edwards finished with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, with three rebounds, three assists and a block in 25 minutes as the Minnesota Timberwolves held on to win 104-102 on the road.

His return to action came as a big surprise to many. Within days of the injury, Edwards had begun multiple treatment methods, including hyperbaric chamber sessions, trying to compress his recovery timeline.

On Sunday, the Timberwolves cleared him for on-court activities and listed him as questionable. By Monday morning, he was a significant participant at shootaround before head coach Chris Finch announced he’ll be available to play. 

The win was not without resistance. Victor Wembanyama turned the paint into his personal property for much of the night, and finished with a single-game playoff record 12 blocks. But the Timberwolves found enough elsewhere: Julius Randle posted 21 points and 10 rebounds, Jaden McDaniels added 16 points, Naz Reid contributed 12 off the bench, and Mike Conley drained four three-pointers to steal Game 1.

Game 2 tips off Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The Spurs, who have lost just their second home playoff opener in 17 series, will be desperate to even things up.

But for Timberwolves fans, getting Edwards back healthy and now sounding like he has no limitations is about as encouraging a development as they could have hoped for.