The Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff hopes took a devastating blow on Saturday night as star guard Anthony Edwards is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee during Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. In an even crueler twist, the Timberwolves also lost starting guard Donte DiVincenzo to a torn right Achilles tendon in the same contest.
Despite the catastrophic injuries to both backcourt starters, Minnesota pulled off a gutsy 112-96 victory at Target Center, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round series behind 43 points from Ayo Dosunmu.
How the Injuries Unfolded: A Night of Devastation at Target Center
The nightmare began just 1:19 into the game. DiVincenzo slipped while chasing a loose ball and immediately signaled to the bench for help, unable to put any weight on his right foot. He was helped to the locker room and later left the arena in a wheelchair. An MRI later confirmed the worst: a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
Then, late in the second quarter, the arena went silent. Edwards elevated to challenge Cam Johnson's layup attempt, but upon landing, his left leg locked up and buckled beneath him. The 24-year-old crumpled to the floor, clutching his knee in visible agony before being helped to the locker room. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
"I feel completely devastated for Donte," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said after the game. "Losing those two guys is really tough, tough emotionally for our guys."
Timeline: From Court to MRI Results
Saturday, April 25 — Game 4, First Quarter (1:19 mark): Donte DiVincenzo suffers what is immediately apparent as a serious lower right leg injury. He is helped off the court and later leaves the arena in a wheelchair.
Saturday, April 25 — Game 4, Second Quarter: Anthony Edwards lands awkwardly contesting a shot, hyperextending his left knee. He leaves the game and is ruled out for the remainder.
Saturday, April 25 — Postgame: Coach Chris Finch confirms DiVincenzo's season is over with an Achilles injury. Edwards' severity remains unclear pending MRI results.
Sunday, April 26 — Morning: ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Edwards has sustained a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Crucially, the MRI reveals no ligament damage. DiVincenzo is officially diagnosed with a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
Sunday, April 26 — Afternoon: The Timberwolves announce DiVincenzo will undergo surgery in New York City, performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery — the same doctor who repaired Jayson Tatum's Achilles tendon in May 2025.
Why This Matters: Assessing the Impact on Minnesota's Playoff Run
Edwards' diagnosis offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim situation. Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor who analyzed the footage, noted that while the injury "looked concerning for the flat-out severity," the absence of ligament damage is a significant positive. "Best-case scenario, a couple of weeks," Sutterer said in his analysis.
"This looks concerning for the flat-out severity of likely bone contusion, keeping him out probably best-case scenario a couple [of] weeks," Sutterer added. "I don't think this is something he'll bounce back from. I think the hope is just that this isn't more serious like an ACL, something that could affect him into next season."
The timing is brutal for Minnesota. Edwards, the NBA's third-leading scorer this season and a four-time All-Star, had been playing through right knee inflammation that had plagued him in the final weeks of the regular season. He appeared on the injury report ahead of all four games in this series.
Medical imaging confirmed that Edwards avoided structural damage, and the Timberwolves are holding out hope that if they can advance past Denver and potentially through the conference semifinals, Edwards could return later in the postseason — similar to how Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a hyperextended knee to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship.
For DiVincenzo, the outlook is far longer. While the surgery is being performed by the same specialist who successfully repaired Jayson Tatum's Achilles — Tatum returned quicker than expected and is currently playing in the postseason — DiVincenzo could miss all or most of next season.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on Edwards and the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves now head to Denver for Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead but without their two starting guards. Edwards is officially listed as out for the remainder of the first-round series, and his return would likely require Minnesota to advance deep into the playoffs — possibly to the Western Conference Finals.
"Edwards is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks, but he did avoid a more serious ligament injury that would've ended his season entirely," sources told ESPN.
DiVincenzo, meanwhile, underwent successful surgery on Sunday afternoon in New York. He is out indefinitely, and the team says further updates on his progress will be provided when available.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Minnesota
The Timberwolves face an uphill battle even with a 3-1 series lead. They must close out the Nuggets without their two best perimeter players. Dosunmu's 43-point eruption in Game 4 was a heroic effort, but replicating that production on the road in Denver will be a tall order.
If Minnesota can advance, there is a scenario where Edwards returns. The star guard's bone bruise and hyperextension, while painful and limiting, do not carry the long-term structural concerns that would require season-ending surgery. The Wolves will be cautious, but with a championship window open, they will leave the door open for his return.
Key Takeaways from the Timberwolves' Injury Crisis
- Anthony Edwards: Bone bruise and hyperextension in left knee. No ligament damage. Out multiple weeks. Could return if Timberwolves advance deep in playoffs.
- Donte DiVincenzo: Torn right Achilles tendon. Season over. Underwent surgery on Sunday. Could miss significant time next season.
- Timberwolves: Lead series 3-1 despite losing both guards. Game 5 is in Denver. Ayo Dosunmo scored 43 points in Game 4 to lead them to victory.
- Next update: The Timberwolves will provide further updates on both players' progress as available.
