MINNEAPOLIS — Nine days after suffering a left knee injury that was expected to sideline him for several weeks, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards came off the bench and scored 18 points in 25 minutes during Monday’s Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
According to teammate Mike Conley, the club did not anticipate Edwards being available for the second-round opener. The 22-year-old guard made rapid progress over the weekend, moving from “questionable” to “available” on the injury report before tip-off. Minnesota was the lone road team to win Game 1 among the four second-round matchups.
“I know for a fact that me being out there calms everybody down,” Edwards said after the win.
Minutes Watch Continues
Head coach Chris Finch told reporters Tuesday that Edwards experienced no setbacks, but the club has not decided whether his 25-minute cap will increase for Wednesday’s Game 2. The plan called for light on-court work and additional treatment on Tuesday.
Game 3 Injury Report
The Timberwolves listed both Edwards (knee) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf) as questionable for Game 3. Dosunmu sat out Game 6 of the first round against Denver and Game 1 versus San Antonio with the same calf issue.
Finch Seeks Closer Officiating on Wembanyama
Finch also appealed for heightened scrutiny of Spurs center Victor Wembanyama after the Defensive Player of the Year set a playoff record with 12 blocked shots in Game 1. The coach argued that at least four—and possibly five—of those blocks were goaltending violations. “It’s a little alarming that none of them were called,” Finch said Tuesday.
Randle’s Physical Presence
While Edwards directs the offense and Rudy Gobert anchors the defense, forward Julius Randle has emerged as a key piece of Minnesota’s strategy against the Spurs’ front line. Three-time All-Star Randle provides the physicality needed to challenge the 7-foot-6 Wembanyama. “He’s the strongest player on the floor,” teammate Terrence Shannon Jr. said. “He can use his physicality against anybody.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio.
Source: Hoops Rumors
