The Timberwolves thought they were dealt a seismic injury blow one quarter into their Western Conference Finals duel with the Thunder when star guard Anthony Edwards went down with an apparent ankle injury.
The Minnesota star exited to the locker room on his own power after landing awkwardly during an especially daring dismount.
Here's what you need to know about Edwards' status going forward.
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Anthony Edwards injury update
Edwards exited the contest after turning his ankle at the end of the first quarter. The Timberwolves supernova saw his joint buckle after landing awkwardly following a collision with Alex Caruso.
Anthony Edwards went back to the locker room after turning his ankle on this play in Game 1. pic.twitter.com/fcbcsHCMBk
— ESPN (@espn) May 21, 2025
He started the second quarter on the sidelines, disappearing into the locker room to do some additional testing — and perhaps wrap his ankle, too. After a five-minute spell in the back, Edwards returned to the floor. He produced an assist on a Julius Randle triple shortly thereafter. A few minutes later, he canned a three of his own.
Edwards said after the game that his ankle did not affect his play in a mostly underwhelming effort in the Wolves' 114-88 loss.
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Anthony Edwards stats Game 1 vs. Thunder
- Minutes: 36:34
- Points: 18
- Assists: 3
- Rebounds: 9
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 1
- Turnovers: 4
- FGs: 5-13
- 3PMs: 3-8
- FTs: 5-7
- Fouls: 4
Edwards played well early, helping Minnesota jump out to an early lead, but he mostly struggled in the second half, scoring just five points. He was at his worst in the fourth quarter, getting shut out and attempting just one shot as the Thunder pulled away.
Anthony Edwards 18 Points, 9 Rebs, 5/13 FG full highlight vs Thunder - WCF Game 1 pic.twitter.com/L1rSMO93Y4
— NBA Showtime (@NBAShowtime12) May 21, 2025
The 23-year-old star said the Thunder were loading up the gaps and the paint in an attempt to keep him from driving to the rim, which evidently worked. Edwards was blunt about his late-game performance, saying he has to shoot more in future games.
Anthony Edwards: I definitely gotta shoot more. I only took 13 f#ckin shots.
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) May 21, 2025
(Ant also said his ankle did not affect his shooting) #Timberwolveshttps://t.co/K7kOyPFAkM pic.twitter.com/cZj28XkC05
A lot went wrong for the Wolves in Game 1, including Edwards' brief ankle scare, but ultimately, he's healthy and, by his own admission, simply needs to play better in Game 2.
MORE WCF GAME 1:
- Anthony Edwards briefly exits with ankle injury
- Anthony Edwards gets T'd up for tossing ball at SGA
- Wolves call on rookie Jaylen Clark to help stop SGA
- SGA shakes off slow start to help lead Thunder to Game 1 win