Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards needed a full two months away from basketball this offseason to properly heal a knee injury. Edwards made the revelation at Timberwolves training camp, explaining the mental and physical challenge of the extended break. His return to full health coincides with the team's current strong form, having just secured a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13.
Edwards suffered a hypertension of his left knee during last season's playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. The typical recovery timeline is multiple weeks, but Edwards returned to play against the San Antonio Spurs just nine days later. He pushed through the postseason, but the toll became clear this summer. "After the season I needed like two months. I took really like two months off to really let my knee heal," Edwards told reporters.
He admitted the process was difficult. Not touching a basketball for that long was a mental test. Edwards also dealt with physical changes, stating he put on weight during the layoff but has since lost it. His rehab was guided by Timberwolds staff Chris Hines, the Director of Player Development, and Javair Gillet, the VP of Sports Science and Performance. "After doing all the treatments with C Hines and Javair, I got back right, so I feel great," Edwards said.
When reporters asked what he does when he can't play basketball, Edwards kept it simple. His focus was entirely on family. "I just play the game, and be a dad, that's it." he explained. His daily routine involved early mornings with his daughter, followed by treatment sessions, and then more family time.
This dedicated recovery period was essential for the 25-year-old guard. Edwards is coming off a season where he averaged 28.8 points per game, ranking third in the NBA behind only Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Ensuring his knee is at 100% is critical for his and the team's ambitions.
Edwards' full fitness arrives as the Timberwolves build momentum. Their recent form shows three wins in their last five games, specifically a three-game winning streak with victories over the Pelicans, Houston Rockets (136-132 on April 11), and Indiana Pacers (124-104 on April 7).
Head coach Chris Finch has previously outlined areas for Edwards to improve to reach an MVP level. A healthy Edwards is the first step toward that leap. His ability to carry the offensive load, combined with his renewed physical condition, makes Minnesota a more dangerous opponent as they look to advance deeper into the playoffs than in previous years.
The team's recent results, including the tough 108-122 loss to Charlotte on April 5, show they can be beatable. But with their primary scorer now fully recovered from a significant knee issue, the Timberwolves' ceiling for the season appears significantly higher.
