The Timberwolves won Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets — but it cost them dearly. In a single gut-wrenching first half, Minnesota lost both of its starting guards. Anthony Edwards Injury hyperextended his left knee. Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles. The Wolves still won 112–96 and lead the series 3–1. But the question hanging over every conversation right now isn’t whether Minnesota will advance. It’s: who’s going to be left standing when they do?
Let’s break it all down.
What Happened to Anthony Edwards in Game 4?
Anthony Edwards left Game 4 with a left knee injury late in the second quarter — and it looked serious in real time.
The play happened on the defensive end. Nuggets forward Cam Johnson drove toward the rim, and Ant elevated to contest the shot. When he came down, his left leg landed at an awkward angle. His knee buckled. He immediately dropped to the floor and grabbed his leg, unable to put any weight on it. He was helped off by teammates and ruled out for the rest of the game.
The arena went quiet. His own teammates were visibly shaken. Guard Ayo Dosunmu, who would go on to score 43 points that night, said post-game: “I was heartbroken. This is for them. Ant, Donte — they mean so much to the organization.”
Is Anthony Edwards Injured? What Did Tests Show?
Yes — and here’s what we know from the latest updates.
According to a source cited by the Associated Press, Edwards sustained a bone bruise and hyperextension of the left knee. The critical news: there was no ligament damage. The knee remained structurally intact, which rules out the more catastrophic outcomes many fans feared watching the replay.
That said, Edwards is expected to miss multiple weeks. As reported by CBS Sports and corroborated by ESPN and The Athletic, his recovery timeline means he could miss at least the first four or five games of a second-round series — and potentially the entire round.
Game 5 against Denver is on Monday (April 28) in Denver. Anthony Edwards will not play. His return, if it comes in these playoffs, won’t be until May at the earliest.
Is Anthony Edwards Playing Tonight (Game 5)?
No. Anthony Edwards will not play in Game 5 of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves series.
The Wolves head into Monday night’s elimination game for Denver holding a 3–1 series lead. Despite the injury chaos, Minnesota is in a strong position to close it out. But Edwards’ absence means the offense looks very different — and closing out a team with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray is never a simple task, even when you’re healthy.
What Is the Anthony Edwards Injury Update Right Now?
The most current update, as of April 26–27, 2026:
- Diagnosis: Bone bruise + hyperextension, left knee
- Ligaments: Intact — no tear confirmed
- Return timeline: Multiple weeks (per AP source)
- Game 5 status: Out
- Second-round outlook: Likely to miss several games; full-round absence possible
The Timberwolves have not issued an official return-to-play timeline yet. Head coach Chris Finch described the emotional toll of losing both guards, telling reporters: “Losing those two guys was really tough. Tough emotionally for the guys. We regrouped well.”
The best-case scenario, according to medical analysts, is that Edwards returns later in a second-round series if the Wolves advance. The worst case is that he misses the entire second round.
What Happened to Donte DiVincenzo? Is His Season Over?
Yes — Donte DiVincenzo’s 2026 playoff run is over, and his 2026–27 season is in serious jeopardy.
DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles tendon just 79 seconds into Game 4. It was a non-contact injury — he went up to chase an offensive rebound after a missed three, planted his right foot, and immediately went down. He couldn’t get up on his own. He left the arena in a wheelchair at halftime.
The Timberwolves officially confirmed his diagnosis the same night. He underwent Achilles surgery on Sunday, April 26, at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley — the same surgeon who operated on Jayson Tatum after Tatum tore his Achilles in last year’s playoffs.
Tatum himself had a message for DiVincenzo: “I was watching the game and it was tough seeing that. I never want anybody to go through that injury.”
How Long Will Donte DiVincenzo Be Out?
The Achilles is one of basketball’s most brutal injuries. Recovery typically takes close to a year.
The hopeful comparison is Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs and returned for Boston in early March 2026 — roughly 298 days later. If DiVincenzo follows a similar recovery arc, a realistic return window for the 2026–27 season would be around late February 2027, perhaps just after the All-Star break.
There’s reason for optimism — modern Achilles surgery and rehabilitation have evolved dramatically. But it’s still a long road, and DiVincenzo, who started all 82 regular-season games this year, will be watching from the bench for the foreseeable future.
Coach Finch put it plainly: “I feel completely devastated for Donte. He was playing so well. He’s had such a great season. He’s the heart and soul of so many things that we do.”
How Did the Timberwolves Win Without Both Starting Guards?
Ayo Dosunmu happened — and it was one of the most remarkable individual playoff performances in decades.
Dosunmu, who came to Minnesota in a February trade from the Chicago Bulls, came off the bench and scored 43 points in Game 4. Per the Star Tribune, that was the most points ever scored by a reserve in an NBA playoff game in 50 years. He shot 13-of-17 from the field, went 5-of-5 from three, and hit 12-of-12 free throws. A 96.5% true shooting percentage. In a playoff game. Without your two starting guards.
Beyond Dosunmu, Rudy Gobert anchored the defense, Julius Randle contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Naz Reid added 17 off the bench. The Wolves dominated the second half, outscoring Denver 32–24 in the third quarter and 30–18 in the fourth.
The final score: Minnesota 112, Denver 96.
What Is the Current Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Series Score?
Here’s where the series stands heading into Game 5:
| Game | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Denver | Nuggets 116, Wolves 105 |
| Game 2 | Denver | Wolves 119, Nuggets 114 |
| Game 3 | Minneapolis | Wolves 113, Nuggets 96 |
| Game 4 | Minneapolis | Wolves 112, Nuggets 96 |
| Game 5 | Denver | Monday, April 28 — 10:30 PM ET |
Series: Minnesota leads 3–1
Denver needs to win four straight to advance. That hasn’t happened in an NBA series where a team had a 3–1 lead very often — but the Nuggets have Nikola Jokić, and a desperate Jokić in an elimination game at home is a different animal entirely. (Jokić had 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists in Game 4 despite the loss.)
Who Steps Up for the Wolves Now?
With Edwards and DiVincenzo both out, Minnesota’s offense faces a genuine challenge going forward.
Ayo Dosunmu is the obvious new starter. He won’t go nuclear every night — nobody does — but his emergence as an efficient scorer since the trade has been real and consistent. He averaged well above his Chicago numbers after joining Minnesota.
Julius Randle becomes even more critical. Through four games, Randle has been solid but not dominant — shooting 42% from the field, which CBS Sports noted was below what the Wolves need him to be, especially now. His shot selection with Edwards sidelined will be the biggest tactical question.
Bones Hyland off the bench also flashed in Game 4, dishing 7 assists. Mike Conley’s veteran steadiness at point guard matters more now too.
The bigger picture? If the Wolves close out Denver and advance to the second round, they’ll likely face the winner of the Spurs–Trail Blazers series. Victor Wembanyama would be waiting. That was already going to be a tough matchup. Without Ant Edwards at full health, it becomes a mountain climb.
Why Is the DiVincenzo Injury Extra Heartbreaking?
Because of what he meant to this team all season long.
Donte DiVincenzo was the only Timberwolves player to start all 82 regular-season games in 2025–26. He averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, per CBS Sports. He was the connective tissue — the guy who shot the corner three, made the extra pass, and got in his man’s hip on defense every single night.
He was also in the middle of his best playoff stretch. In Games 1–3 against Denver, he scored 12, 16, and 15 points respectively. He was answering every question about whether he belonged on a playoff team’s starting unit. And then, 79 seconds into Game 4, it ended.
There’s also an eerie footnote worth noting: Donte DiVincenzo wears number 0. So did Jayson Tatum when he tore his Achilles. So did Tyrese Haliburton. So did Damian Lillard. Every player to tear an Achilles in the last two NBA postseasons wore the same number. Sports Illustrated noted this pattern — and it is genuinely strange, even if it means nothing medically.
What Comes Next for the Timberwolves?
Game 5 is first. Then the full picture becomes clearer.
If Minnesota closes out Denver on Monday — which, at 3–1, is very likely — the organization faces a challenging few weeks. Edwards’ bone bruise recovery will be monitored daily. The Wolves will manage his minutes carefully, and there’s a real chance he returns in a second-round series, just not right away.
DiVincenzo’s recovery is a 2026–27 story. The Achilles surgery is done. Now it’s rehabilitation, patience, and hope that the Tatum model holds up.
The Minnesota Timberwolves entered this postseason as a sixth seed with championship ambitions and a legitimate top-five player in Anthony Edwards. That’s still true. But the margin for error just got a lot thinner. Every possession in the next round will matter more. Every role player will be asked to do more.
That’s the reality of the 2026 playoffs for the Wolves. Gritty, painful, and somehow still alive.
Timberwolves Schedule — Next Games
- Game 5 vs. Denver Nuggets — Monday, April 28, 2026 | 10:30 PM ET | Ball Arena, Denver
- Second Round (if Wolves advance): Begins approximately May 5, 2026
Keep checking back for the latest Anthony Edwards injury update and Timberwolves news as Game 5 approaches.
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