'Strong optimism' Wolves star could return Sunday

There’s “strong optimism” that guard/forward Anthony Edwards could return to the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ lineup for Sunday’s game at Golden State, sources tell Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report.

Edwards has missed the past three games — his first absences of the season — after spraining his right ankle last week against the Chicago Bulls. He suffered the injury in the first quarter when he landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle following a cross-court jump pass.

The former No. 1 overall pick had scored eight points in eight minutes in the game, which the Wolves went on to lose without him. They have gone 2-1 in the subsequent three games to hold a 37-37 record, and they hold No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

While the injury certainly looked bad at the time, Edwards has been listed as questionable before being ruled out in each of the past three contests, indicating the sprain wasn’t as serious as it could have been.

A first-time All-Star in 2022-23, Edwards is Minnesota’s leading scorer, averaging career highs in points (24.7), rebounds (5.9), assists (4.4) and steals (1.6) per game. He has posted .461/.371/.767 shooting splits through 71 games (36.0 minutes).