The Minnesota Timberwolves are navigating the grind of the Western Conference with the same formula that’s kept them relevant in recent seasons: tough, physical defense and smart, efficient basketball. But as they prepare for a back-to-back that includes a matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, all eyes are on the status of their star, Anthony Edwards.
Edwards missed the Timberwolves’ last game against the Golden State Warriors due to a toe injury, and his availability remains uncertain heading into the Dallas game. He was a late scratch before tip-off against Golden State, and now he's officially listed as questionable. The situation is fluid, and it sounds like Minnesota may not have clarity on his status until closer to game time.
Head coach Chris Finch admitted the injury caught him off guard. “It was news to me, honestly,” Finch said.
“He had pain from the foot that's been troubling him.” According to Finch, the decision to sit Edwards came late, and there hasn’t been a detailed update from the team’s performance staff since.
With the Timberwolves facing a quick turnaround, Finch isn’t sure what to expect. “That’s not been communicated to me,” he said when asked about Edwards’ status for the Mavericks game. “I haven't talked really to the performance team since the decision was made to sit him tonight.”
Minnesota has shown resilience when Edwards has been sidelined, but there’s no sugarcoating what he means to this team. He’s averaging a career-best 29.7 points per game this season - a scoring load that can’t be easily replaced. In his absence, the Timberwolves will need others to step up, including Julius Randle, who’s taken on more responsibility in recent games.
The Mavericks present a tough challenge, and without Edwards, Minnesota will need to lean even more heavily on its defensive identity and collective effort. Whether or not their star suits up, the Timberwolves are built to compete - but there's no question that everything runs smoother when No. 5 is on the floor.