NBA Denies Anthony Edwards’ Award Eligibility; Timberwolves Turn Focus to Nuggets Series
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The NBA has rejected Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards in his bid for the league’s “extraordinary circumstances” exception, leaving him short of the 65-game minimum required for end-of-season honors. Edwards appeared in 61 contests—60 of at least 20 minutes—after losing time to hamstring, foot and knee issues, plus an illness.
Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Detroit’s Cade Cunningham received waivers under the same rule. The league said both players were nearer to the 65-game threshold and missed time for unusual reasons: Doncic went to Slovenia in December for the birth of his child, while Cunningham was sidelined in March by a collapsed lung. The NBA offered no detailed explanation for rejecting Edwards’ petition.
Timberwolves react
Head coach Chris Finch questioned the process. “I’m not sure why we have a rule if we have an appeals process that is overturned in two-thirds of the cases,” Finch said Thursday. “It feels more like a suggestion than a rule.”
Edwards’ business manager Justin Holland also voiced confusion, noting that Cunningham’s injury occurred during play while Edwards missed several December–January games with a toe infection. Holland added that Edwards’ chief disappointment was falling short of a full 82-game slate, not the lost award eligibility. “You know the only thing he wants is a ring,” Holland said.
Development of core players
Reporter Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic highlighted the growth of Edwards, forward Jaden McDaniels and center Naz Reid since the 2019-20 season, when Edwards and McDaniels were rookies and Reid a sophomore. A former front-office executive told the outlet that even early struggles showed the trio “were difference-makers.”
Focus issues acknowledged
The Associated Press’ Dave Campbell noted stretches of inconsistent effort during the regular season. Edwards conceded the club occasionally seemed eager to “get through the season to get to the playoffs.” Veteran center Rudy Gobert said the team’s energy typically rises when stakes are high. “We’re facing a great opponent, and we know that if we don’t come out hungry, we don’t have a chance,” Gobert said.
Nuggets connections run deep
As Minnesota prepares for its first-round meeting with Denver, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette outlined multiple ties between the franchises. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, head coach Finch, lead assistant Micah Nori and guard Bones Hyland all have Denver roots. Wolves assistant Elston Turner previously worked for Rick Adelman—father of current Nuggets assistant David Adelman—and Denver executive Jon Wallace once served in Minnesota’s front office.
Source: Hoops Rumors
