Wolves Notes: Edwards, Williams, Evans, Starters, Thibodeau

It took Anthony Edwards about two months to fully recover from the knee injuries that bothered him at the end of last season, the star Timberwolves guard told reporters on Saturday (Twitter video link via Andrew Dukowitz of SI.com and Zone Coverage).

In addition to a runner’s knee ailment in his right knee, Edwards also hyperextended his left knee in the first round of the playoffs, which resulted in a bone bruise.

“After the season I needed like two months, I took really like two months off to really let my knee heal… after doing all the treatments… I got back right, so I feel great,” Edwards said.

Edwards said he put on some weight during his time off the court, but he’s back in shape now.

“It was super tough, but in order for my knee to heal (I had to rest it),” Edwards said. “I put on a lot of weight and now I’ve lost it, so I’m good.”

We have more from Minnesota:

• Edwards singled out trade acquisition Cody Williams as a player who has impressed him in training camp, according to Dukowitz (Twitter video link). “I just love his defensive instincts. I think he could be really good in the NBA,” Edwards said of Williams. “His care factor has to go up a little more, just showing it, like everybody knows he cares but just showing it. Like you get a stop, let somebody know about it. … Other than that he brings intensity every day. His defense is incredible.”
• Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch suggested Saturday that second-round pick Isaiah Evans has some work to do if he wants to receive rotation minutes as a rookie, per Dukowitz (Twitter video link). “He’s been good. I think he’s certainly trying to make an impression,” Finch said. “Like with most young players his mistakes come from trying to do too much right now. His defense has to come up to the level we expect from our guys. But again, these are normal growing pains for somebody in his fourth day of training camp in the NBA.”
• Finch said the full starting lineup will play in Monday’s preseason opener, adding that he expects to use that group a fair amount during the preseason so they grow accustomed to playing with each other, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball (via trade) and Jonathan Kuminga (via free agency) this offseason to complement existing starters Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
• Former head coach and head of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau visited the Wolves’ training camp on Saturday, per New York Basketball (Twitter link). Thibodeau, who has been out of coaching since he was let go by the Knicks in 2025, recently visited Houston as well.