Anthony Edwards left Game 4 vs the Nuggets with a left knee injury and is scheduled for tests. Minnesota also lost Donte DiVincenzo early, reshaping Game 4 and raising big questions for the series.
Anthony Edwards’ night ended early in a pivotal moment of Minnesota’s first-round series against Denver, and the Timberwolves now have to wait for test results that could swing the remainder of the matchup.
Edwards left Game 4 of the Wolves–Nuggets series with a knee injury after exiting during the second quarter.. He was ruled out for the rest of the game as Minnesota worked through a growing list of health concerns.. The concern centers on his left knee, with plans in place for additional testing to determine the severity and timeline.
The injury reportedly happened during an awkward landing while Edwards was contesting a layup.. He required assistance as he made his way back toward Minnesota’s locker room. a scene that immediately changed the emotional temperature of the contest.. At the time of his departure. Denver held a 44-39 lead over the Wolves—meaning his absence wasn’t just symbolic. it came while the game was still very much in motion.
This is especially significant for Minnesota because Edwards is the engine of its offense.. Before the injury, he had managed five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes.. Even those modest totals underline how his presence forces Denver’s defense to react. opening space for teammates and raising the ceiling of Minnesota’s shot creation.
The context behind Edwards’ current situation also adds pressure to the evaluation.. Earlier this season. he missed time due to right knee inflammation. so a new issue on the left side naturally raises bigger questions about whether this is a one-off incident or something that could linger.. In the postseason. where every possession matters. even a short absence can alter rotations. matchups. and how a team manages late-game margins.
The Wolves’ problems weren’t limited to Edwards.. Sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo suffered a non-contact right leg injury in the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.. That combination forces Minnesota to make adjustments quickly—both in the lineup and in how it designs offense when two of its most impactful contributors can’t play their normal roles.
With Edwards and DiVincenzo sidelined. Minnesota leaned on Ayo Dosunmu and Mike Conley in expanded responsibilities as the game moved past halftime.. Their roles were elevated after the second-half lineup shift. and the immediate priority becomes keeping Minnesota’s offensive rhythm intact while also protecting defensively against a Nuggets team that knows how to punish gaps.
For the series, the timing is brutal.. The Wolves entered the weekend action with momentum. leading the series 2-1. and Edwards’ production had been a major reason for that edge.. Through the first three matchups. he averaged 23.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game—numbers that reflect not only scoring. but also control on the glass and physical presence that helps Minnesota grind games into its preferred shape.
Edwards’ importance extends beyond just this series.. He earned his fourth consecutive All-Star nod in the 2025-26 season. carrying a scoring average of 28.8 points per game that ranked third in the NBA.. His all-around contribution—5.0 rebounds. 3.7 assists. and 1.4 steals per game—makes him difficult to replace with pure spot-up shooting or conventional role-player minutes.. If his knee issue leads to missed games. Minnesota will have to decide how much to reduce his offensive load versus how aggressively to keep pushing through the series.
There’s also a practical question for Minnesota’s coaching staff: how much can the team ask of its remaining starters without burning out the supporting cast.. Conley’s playmaking and Dosunmu’s defensive energy can help stabilize possessions, but playoff success often depends on star gravity.. Losing that gravity forces defenders to stay closer to cutters and shooters, which can tighten the windows for everyone else.
If Edwards’ tests suggest a short recovery, the Wolves can treat Game 4 as a temporary disruption and refocus quickly.. But if the results point to a longer absence, the series outlook changes fast.. Denver will likely adjust its game plan to attack Minnesota’s new rotation tendencies. while the Wolves face the harder task of manufacturing offense without their most reliable shot-maker.
For now, the biggest answer is still waiting: what the tests on Edwards’ left knee reveal, and whether Minnesota’s postseason run can absorb the blow without losing its edge over the Nuggets.