The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into a pivotal Western Conference matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, and all eyes are on the status of Anthony Edwards. The explosive guard has missed the last three games with a lingering foot injury, and while the Wolves have managed to go 2-1 without him, his absence was felt in their recent 116-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
That game saw a solid effort from Minnesota’s supporting cast. Julius Randle poured in 21 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 19, and Naz Reid chipped in with a crucial 16 off the bench. Jaden McDaniels also contributed 13, but without Edwards’ dynamic scoring and playmaking, the Wolves lacked their usual offensive punch down the stretch.
As of now, Edwards is listed as questionable for Friday’s game, and his availability could swing the momentum in a matchup with serious implications in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota sits at 17-10 and remains firmly in the hunt for a top seed. But to stay there, they’ll need their franchise cornerstone back on the floor - and soon.
The injury bug hasn’t stopped with Edwards. Veteran point guard Mike Conley is also sidelined, this time with an ACL injury that will keep him out of Friday’s contest.
That’s a significant blow for a team already leaning heavily on Edwards to initiate the offense. While Edwards has taken on more of the playmaking duties this season, it’s clear that his best work still comes as a scorer and off-ball threat.
Asking him to carry the load as a full-time lead guard isn’t ideal - especially when you’re aiming for a deep playoff run.
That’s why the Timberwolves are exploring ways to upgrade their backcourt depth ahead of the trade deadline. Internally, there’s recognition that they need a true point guard to stabilize the offense and relieve some of the pressure on Edwards. Bones Hyland is a name that’s come up, and while he’s shown flashes, there are still questions about whether he’s ready to take on a starting role for a contender.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently posed the key question: *Does Minnesota have enough to acquire a starting point guard, or are they content with Edwards running the show? * It’s a fair concern.
Edwards has made strides as a facilitator, but his assist numbers haven’t quite caught up to his scoring evolution. Come playoff time, when defenses tighten and every possession matters, the lack of a true floor general could become a glaring issue.
For now, the focus is on Friday night. If Edwards is cleared to play, it’ll be a major boost for a Timberwolves squad looking to reassert itself after a tough loss.
But if he’s out again, Minnesota will need another collective effort - and maybe a little more magic from their role players - to keep pace in an ultra-competitive West. Either way, the next few weeks will be telling, both in terms of Edwards’ health and the front office’s willingness to make a move that could shape the team’s postseason trajectory.