DENVER — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been cleared to play in Saturday’s Recreation 1 in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
Head trainer Chris Finch didn’t have any information on Edwards’ standing pregame after he’d prior to now been indexed as questionable with proper knee harm repairs. However he participated in warmups, and the Timberwolves introduced pregame that he used to be to be had to play.
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Edwards performed in two of Minnesota’s ultimate seven regular-season video games and 3 in their final 14 because of his knee harm. He used to be restricted to 61 video games this season (beginning 60) because of more than a few accidents to his again, hamstring, foot and shoulder. However his proper knee has been probably the most problematic, requiring steady absences for repairs towards the top of the season.
Finch: Edwards ‘appears just right, feels just right’
Finch, who’s coached Edwards for his whole six-year profession, stated that is the primary yr he’s noticed Edwards combat with an harm.
“I simply search for the brightness in his smile,” Finch stated Saturday of what he appears for when figuring out Edwards’ readiness to play. “When he’s available in the market having amusing and he is aware of he’s were given the arrogance in his recreation and in his frame, which I feel he’s all the time had. That’s what you search for.
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“That is the primary yr I’ve ever noticed anything else other, the place he’s been pissed off, however no longer feeling 100%. He’s all the time performed via little accidents, however this yet one more than ever, I felt, it impinged the best way he’s in a position to play.
“However he appears just right and feels just right presently. It’s on the subject of getting him within the rhythm of the sport.”
Edwards isn’t eligible for any 2026 season awards, despite the fact that he filed a problem to the NBA’s 65-game requirement for awards attention. Prior to this season, Edwards had by no means performed in fewer than 72 video games in one season.
“He’s been extremely sturdy,” Finch stated. “He likes to play. I assumed it used to be a disgrace that he didn’t win his enchantment as smartly, simply given the historical past of enjoying such a lot of video games. He’s to be had all the time to play.”
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This season, Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 issues with 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals according to recreation. He shot 40% on 514 3-point makes an attempt. In 3 video games in opposition to Denver, he averaged 30.3 issues, 5.7 rebounds and 5 assists, whilst capturing 26% on 31 3-point pictures.
The Timberwolves completed with a 49-33 file, giving them the 6th seed within the Western Convention and a first-round matchup with the third-seeded Nuggets (54-28).