Anthony Edwards is listed OUT for Game 6 with a left knee bone bruise, as Minnesota seeks a home-closeout over Denver.
The Timberwolves have one job in Game 6: end the series at home. But the status of their biggest star is the story, and it’s not the one Minneapolis wanted.
Minnesota returns to its home floor for Thursday night with a chance to close out the Denver Nuggets and book a spot in the second round.. The Wolves lost Game 5 in Denver 125-113, a defeat that came without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.. In that loss. Nikola Jokic delivered a full-spectrum performance—27 points. 12 rebounds and 16 assists—to keep the Nuggets alive and force this decisive sixth game.
For Wolves fans asking, “Is Anthony Edwards playing tonight?” the answer from the latest team update is straightforward: he is not. Edwards has been ruled OUT for Game 6 due to a left knee bone bruise, leaving Minnesota to navigate another playoff game without its offensive engine.
Edwards’ injury timeline explains why the Wolves are being cautious.. He missed Game 5 after suffering the problem in Game 4, when a hyperextension left him with a left knee bone bruise.. He was injured during a defensive sequence when he went up for a block at the rim and landed in a way that immediately affected his leg.. The aftermath was visible—Edwards went down and needed help as he left the floor for treatment—turning a single moment into a multi-game question mark.
With the Wolves releasing their Wednesday night injury report, Edwards remains listed as OUT for Thursday’s contest.. The team also previously indicated the injury would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.. That phrasing matters. because in a playoff series every day counts—but it also signals that Minnesota’s medical staff is prioritizing protecting the knee rather than taking shortcuts.
Minnesota’s injury picture doesn’t stop with Edwards.. Donte DiVincenzo is also OUT for Game 6, with an Achilles tendon repair keeping him sidelined.. In addition. the Wolves show another layer of uncertainty with Anthony Edwards appearing again on the report under a left-knee soreness listing—marked Questionable in the broader injury tracking.. Still. the clear headline for Game 6 is the same: Edwards is not expected to suit up as the official OUT designation stands.
That double-status feel can be confusing to fans, especially in the tight window of playoff rosters.. But teams often track soreness versus primary injury classification separately, and the game-day decision typically follows the most serious designation.. For now, the practical reality is that Minnesota is operating without Edwards’ scoring and shot-creation for this elimination-style matchup.
On the other side, Denver’s injury report offers some of its own intrigue.. Aaron Gordon is listed as Questionable with left calf tightness, while Peyton Watson remains OUT with a right hamstring strain.. Denver’s ability to manage minutes and matchups could hinge on whether Gordon can handle the physical demands. but the Nuggets have already proven they can win with Jokic dictating the pace and controlling possessions.
Defensively, this series has pushed Minnesota into its toughest assignments.. Rudy Gobert’s role—especially in the way he’s been used to disrupt Denver’s interior rhythms—has been a major talking point as the Nuggets search for consistent angles against Minnesota’s rim protection.. Yet when Edwards is off the floor. Minnesota’s overall construction changes: the Wolves lose not only points. but the gravity that forces defenses to respect driving lanes and perimeter passing reads.
Even so, Game 6 is still a “home closeout” moment for the Wolves, and that’s a different psychological battlefield.. Being back in front of their own crowd can tilt tempo and make the early possessions feel sharper. particularly if Minnesota can swing the game’s momentum before Denver settles into its usual half-court comfort.. The larger question is whether the Wolves can win without Edwards’ shot-making at the exact times the series tends to swing—late in quarters. in crunch-time possessions. and when Denver uses Jokic’s passing to create high-percentage looks.
For now, the matchup’s injury headline is clear: Anthony Edwards is OUT for Wolves vs.. Nuggets Game 6, and Donte DiVincenzo is also sidelined.. If Minnesota is going to earn the next-round spot. it will have to lean harder on role players. tighten execution around Jokic’s touch. and make every possession count from the opening minutes.