Anthony Edwards has been making a strong case all season for being the NBA‘s next marquee star and the numbers back it up. Through 58 games this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard is having the best year of his career.
He’s averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 40.2% from three. Over 439 career games, Edwards has averaged 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Four All-Star selections are already on his resume, including the 2026 All-Star Game MVP award he picked up in February.
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The trajectory has been hard to ignore. But currently, Edwards is not on the floor.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts before the game against the Denver Nuggets Ball Arena.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
(Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
He’s missed five straight games with right knee inflammation and has already been ruled out for Minnesota’s upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons. The injury first showed up about ten days ago and there’s still no firm return timeline.
Earlier updates carried some optimism but the latest word out of Minnesota is that the team is taking its time and will not push him back before he’s ready.
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There is one encouraging sign. The Timberwolves, per Marc J. Spears, confirmed that Edwards has been cleared to return to on-court basketball activities. He’s not game-ready yet but that step forward at least suggests things are moving in the right direction.
Minnesota sits at 45-28 and holds the fifth seed in the Western Conference with the play-in tournament still a real possibility. Even so, the organization has not changed its approach. Getting Edwards right for the postseason matters more than rushing him back for the regular season stretch.
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What does add some urgency is his All-NBA eligibility. Edwards has played in 58 games this season but only 57 count toward the league’s 65-game minimum. One of his appearances ended after just three minutes due to a hamstring issue and doesn’t qualify.
To stay eligible he needs to play every one of Minnesota’s remaining eight games starting with Monday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. With two back-to-backs built into that stretch the ask gets tougher.
If Edwards clears the threshold he was on track to earn second-team All-NBA honors for the third year running.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.