Anthony Edwards injury concerns have cast a heavy shadow over the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff push after a bruising Game 4 win over the Denver Nuggets, with head coach Chris Finch confirming that Donte DiVincenzo’s season is over and saying the full extent of Edwards’ knee issue is still unknown.
The Timberwolves may have gone up 3-1 in the Western Conference quarter-final series, but the mood inside the arena in Minneapolis was anything but celebratory. Finch looked visibly shaken after the game, describing the night as emotionally draining after both starting guards exited with worrying injuries.
DiVincenzo went down just 1 minute and 19 seconds into the contest, and the way he left left little doubt that the problem was serious. He appeared to slip while chasing a loose ball, immediately grabbed at his lower right leg and signalled for help. He could barely put weight on the foot as staff escorted him off, and he later left the venue in a wheelchair.
Finch did not mince his words when speaking about the blow to his team. He said he felt “completely devastated” for DiVincenzo, whose contribution had become increasingly important in the series. Through the first three games, DiVincenzo had averaged 14.3 points and knocked down 11 of 22 three-pointers, giving Minnesota valuable scoring and spacing from the perimeter.
The bigger long-term concern, though, may be Anthony Edwards injury. Late in the second quarter, Edwards landed awkwardly after challenging a lay-up and his left knee appeared to buckle, forcing him to the floor. He was helped into the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the night, leaving Timberwolves fans anxiously waiting for updates.
Edwards had been one of the defining figures of the series before the setback, averaging 23 points and eight rebounds as the sixth-seeded Timberwolves tried to pull off an upset over the third-seeded Nuggets. His presence has been central to Minnesota’s offensive rhythm, defensive energy and late-game confidence, so any absence would be a major concern for the franchise.
Even without both guards, the Timberwolves somehow found a way to finish the job. Behind a stunning 43-point performance from Ayu Dosunmu, Minnesota held off Denver to secure a win that put them one victory away from the next round. It was the sort of gut-check result that can define a playoff series, but the victory came at a heavy cost.
Anthony Edwards injury overshadows Timberwolves’ playoff breakthrough
For much of the night, the story was supposed to be Minnesota’s resilience. Instead, the conversation quickly shifted to the health of two of the team’s most important players. In the tension of the post-match moments, Finch’s voice reflected what many inside the Timberwolves camp were feeling: relief at the win, but deep concern about what comes next.
Dosunmu captured the emotional weight of the moment in a televised on-court interview, saying he was “heartbroken” after seeing both men go down. He described the game as being played for Edwards and DiVincenzo, saying they mean a great deal to the organisation and that his thoughts were with them for a speedy recovery.
That reaction underlined just how much both players matter to the Timberwolves’ playoff ambitions. DiVincenzo had been a steady outside threat and Edwards remains the heartbeat of the team. Losing either would sting. Losing both in one game, especially in a playoff series that now hangs on every possession, is the kind of setback that can reshape a postseason run.
For South African NBA fans following the action, the Anthony Edwards injury is now the headline that will dominate the conversation ahead of the next game. In the NBA playoffs, momentum can swing fast, but injuries often decide series more decisively than tactics or shooting runs. Minnesota’s path forward depends not only on strategy, but on how quickly — or whether — its stars can return.
Finch and the Timberwolves medical staff will now be under pressure to assess both injuries with urgency. The wording around DiVincenzo suggests the worst-case scenario has already been confirmed there, while Edwards’ situation remains more uncertain. That uncertainty is often the toughest part for a team on the verge of closing out a series.
The Nuggets, for their part, will know they are still alive despite the deficit. But Minnesota’s win leaves them trailing 3-1, and history is not on their side. The bigger question is whether the Timberwolves can maintain their edge if one or both guards are unavailable.
What should have been remembered as a statement victory has instead become a night of fear and frustration. The Timberwolves got the result they needed, but the sight of Donte DiVincenzo being wheeled away and Anthony Edwards leaving injured may prove far more significant than the scoreboard. As we reported earlier, playoff basketball can change in a moment — and for Minnesota, Saturday night may have changed everything.