The Minnesota Timberwolves have cracked open the door for star guard Anthony Edwards to return for Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal.
Edwards, originally considered week-to-week and assumed to be out for the opener Monday at the San Antonio Spurs, was listed as questionable on Sunday evening’s injury report.
Edwards suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise on an awkward landing during Minnesota’s Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first round on April 25. He avoided ligament damage and was ruled out for the rest of the first round.
Just eight days later, the Timberwolves have cleared Edwards for basketball activities. ESPN reported that the team initially targeted Games 3 or 4 of the best-of-seven series against San Antonio, but he now could be ahead of schedule.
Edwards, 24, also posted a video to YouTube on Sunday that showed him running on an underwater treadmill and featured a clip with David Hines, Minnesota’s vice president of medical performance.
In the video, Hines said, “I think he can return sooner if he can hit all his metrics for pain management, mobility, functional strength.”
The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection scored a career-high 28.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting, including 39.9% from 3-point range, in the regular season (61 games). He put up 18.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in four starts against the Nuggets.
Ayo Dosunmu, who led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Denver series (21.8 ppg), including 43 points in Game 4, is also questionable due to right calf soreness. He missed the clinching Game 6 win over the Nuggets with the ailment.
