When Anthony Edwards went down late in the first quarter of Minnesota’s 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, October 27, 2025, at Target Center, no one in the arena suspected it was more than a tweak. He’d played through pain before. But this time, the Minnesota Timberwolves star guard’s hamstring didn’t just tighten — it tore. And now, the team’s entire season trajectory hangs in the balance.
From ‘Tightness’ to a Real Injury
The Minnesota Timberwolves initially called it ‘hamstring tightness’ after the game. Coach Chris Finch offered little more than a shrug: ‘He’s not coming back tonight.’ By Monday, the truth emerged. Anthony Edwards, 24, had suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain — not a minor nuisance, but a legitimate setback. The team confirmed he’d be re-evaluated in seven days, but insiders were already talking about a two-week absence. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic independently reported Edwards would miss at least eight games. On the team’s own podcast, analyst Dukes nailed it: ‘This is a one-to-two-week recovery. He’s probably back around Friday the 14th.’That would be November 14, 2025 — a Friday night game against the Utah Jazz, conveniently placed in a rare three-game stretch with no back-to-backs. It’s the kind of scheduling break teams pray for when their best player gets hurt.
Edwards’ Ironman Streak Just Broke
This is the part that stings most. Anthony Edwards has been the model of durability in the NBA’s most physically punishing league. He played 79 of 82 games in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. In six NBA seasons — including playoffs — he’s appeared in 426 of 445 possible games. That’s a 95.7% availability rate. He’s the guy who showed up with a sprained ankle and dropped 41 points on the Portland Trail Blazers in the season opener on October 23. He played 34 minutes and scored 31 in the next game. He didn’t miss a beat. Until he did.That’s the cruel irony: he played through discomfort all week, masking the injury like a soldier pushing forward. And then, in the third game of the season, on a fast break, he landed hard after a contested layup. One step. One twist. And the season’s most explosive scorer was gone.
How the Timberwolves Are Coping
Without Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost their first game without him — a gritty 118-113 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on October 28. They’re not collapsing, but they’re clearly missing their engine. Jaden McDaniels stepped up with 28 points. Naz Reid added 21 off the bench. Mike Conley Jr. returned to the starting lineup, bringing veteran poise. And rookie Rob Dillingham, the 2024 second-round pick, flashed flashes of brilliance — and turnovers.But none of them are Anthony Edwards. He averaged 25.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season. He’s the primary scorer, the secondary playmaker, the emotional heartbeat. When he’s on the floor, defenses collapse. When he’s not? They sag. And the Timberwolves’ offense, which ranked 11th in the league last year, suddenly looks sluggish.
What Happens When He Returns?
The good news? Grade 1 strains rarely cause long-term damage. The bad news? Returning too soon can turn a week off into a month. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be cautious. They’ve seen too many stars — Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins — sidelined by recurring issues.Edwards’ return on November 14 would mean he’s missed exactly 11 days from the injury — a tight but plausible timeline. He’ll likely be on a minutes restriction. Expect him to come off the bench at first, or be held out of back-to-backs. The team’s next stretch includes games against the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors. That’s not a schedule you want to face without your MVP-caliber guard.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about the Minnesota Timberwolves’ window. They’ve spent years building around Edwards. They traded for Kevin Durant last summer — no, wait, correction: they didn’t. They built around Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, and now, Towns is sidelined with a foot injury of his own. The team’s ceiling is directly tied to Edwards’ health.And here’s the twist: this injury came just after Edwards signed his supermax extension — a five-year, $255 million deal. The franchise is betting everything on him. Now, they’re holding their breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Anthony Edwards expected to miss, and what’s the timeline for his return?
Anthony Edwards is expected to miss a minimum of eight games, with a likely return around Friday, November 14, 2025. The injury is a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which typically requires 10–14 days of recovery. The Timberwolves will re-evaluate him after one week, but podcast analyst Dukes and multiple reports suggest he’ll be cleared for game action by mid-November, assuming no setbacks.
Why is this injury so concerning for the Timberwolves?
Edwards is the team’s leading scorer (25.9 PPG last season) and primary offensive engine. His absence exposes their lack of consistent secondary scoring. With Karl-Anthony Towns also injured, Minnesota’s playoff hopes hinge on Edwards’ health. Losing him for 2–3 weeks during the early-season push could cost them precious Western Conference positioning.
Did Edwards play through the injury before it became serious?
Yes. He played through hamstring tightness in the season opener on October 23 against Portland, scoring 41 points in 39 minutes. He followed that with 31 points in the next game on October 25. The strain worsened during the third game against Indiana on October 27, when he landed awkwardly after a layup. His durability had been a hallmark — he played 79 of 82 games in each of the past two seasons.
Who steps up in Edwards’ absence?
Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid have shown offensive promise, combining for 49 points in the loss to Denver. Mike Conley Jr. returned to the starting lineup, adding veteran leadership. Rookie Rob Dillingham also saw increased minutes and showed flashes, though he committed five turnovers in one game. Still, none of them can replicate Edwards’ scoring volume or ability to draw double teams.
What’s the risk of re-injury if Edwards returns too soon?
Hamstring strains are notoriously prone to recurrence if not fully healed. A premature return could turn a two-week absence into a month or longer. The Timberwolves are known for being cautious with player health, especially after past setbacks with Towns and Wiggins. They’ll prioritize long-term health over short-term gains — even if it means sitting him for one extra game.
How does this affect Minnesota’s playoff chances?
The Western Conference is brutal. The Timberwolves are fighting for a top-6 seed to avoid the play-in tournament. Losing Edwards for 10–14 games could drop them from 4th to 8th in the standings. Even a 4–4 record during his absence could cost them home-court advantage in the first round — a major disadvantage against teams like Phoenix or Denver.
