Anthony Edwards’ left knee buckled as he landed after contesting a layup late in the second quarter of Game 4, and moments later Donte DiVincenzo collapsed in the opening minutes with a suspected Achilles injury, leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves without their two starting guards.
Despite the loss of Edwards and DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves secured a 115-106 victory over the Denver Nuggets, taking a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference quarterfinal series, fueled by 43 points from guard Ayu Dosunmu.
Coach Chris Finch expressed devastation over DiVincenzo’s season-ending Achilles tear, while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Edwards’ knee injury, which kept him out for the remainder of the game.
Dosunmu, who stepped into the scoring void, dedicated the win to his injured teammates, saying he was “heartbroken” but playing for Edwards and DiVincenzo’s recovery.
Edwards had shown signs of lingering knee discomfort earlier in the playoffs, with Coach Finch noting a visible frustration in his demeanor during Game 1 against the Nuggets, a departure from his usual resilience.
DiVincenzo’s injury occurred without contact after he slipped chasing a loose ball, immediately signaling a serious issue as he was unable to bear weight on his right foot and left the arena in a wheelchair, later confirmed to be wearing a walking boot.
The Timberwolves, entering the game as sixth-seeded underdogs against a Nuggets team that had won 13 straight games, relied on depth and resilience to overcome the absence of their backcourt starters.
Historically, the Timberwolves have struggled when losing key guards in playoff series; in 2022, a similar ankle injury to D’Angelo Russell disrupted their offensive rhythm against the Memphis Grizzlies, contributing to a series loss.
What is the current status of Anthony Edwards’ knee injury?
The severity of Anthony Edwards’ left knee injury remains unclear, with the team ruling him out for Game 4 but not providing further details on diagnosis or recovery timeline.
Is Donte DiVincenzo’s season officially over?
Yes, Coach Chris Finch confirmed that Donte DiVincenzo’s season is over due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in Game 4.
How did the Timberwolves manage to win without their starting guards?
The Timberwolves won through a standout performance by Ayu Dosunmu, who scored 43 points, and contributions from other role players who stepped up in the absence of Edwards and DiVincenzo.
What does this imply for the Timberwolves’ playoff outlook?
While the team now leads the series 3-1, the loss of both starting guards raises significant concerns about their ability to sustain success if the series extends to a Game 5 or beyond.