In the Western Conference first round, the ongoing battle between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves has taken an unfortunate turn.
What started as an evenly matched showdown between competitive teams has been reduced to a competition of which team can stay healthier. So far, despite injuries on both sides (including veterans Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon for the Nuggets), the Timberwolves have had the worst of it. Going into Game 6, four key rotation players have already been ruled out:
Anthony Edwards (bone bruise), Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles tear), Ayo Dosunmu (calf strain), and Kyle Anderson (illness) are all set to miss tonight’s game, leaving Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert to carry Minnesota to victory on their own. For a team that was mostly healthy in the regular season, the recent string of injuries is a huge blow, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
After taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the Nuggets, the Timberwolves appeared to be in full control and on the verge of advancing to the Semifinals. It would mark the third straight season that the Timberwolves have gone past the first round. Now, while they still have a chance to win the series, the momentum has flipped after the injuries and Denver’s clutch Game 5 win (125-113).
As for when we can expect the players back, the answers vary. Edwards got injured back in Game 4, hyperextending his knee and sustaining a bone bruise, which is still healing. While it’s not a major injury for the 6’4″ guard, neither he nor the Timberwolves is willing to risk something more serious to rush his return, which is currently timed for May 9th. Through 61 games this season, the 24-year-old guard averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting and 39.9% shooting from three.
DiVincenzo suffered his season-ending Achilles injury at roughly the same time as Ant. He was the Timberwolves’ best option at point guard, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 40.6% shotoing and 37.9% shooting from three. He obviously won’t be playing in these playoffs, and we likely won’t see him at all next season, either.
Kyle Anderson, meanwhile, was a late scratch due to illness. He played for 14 minutes in Monday’s loss, posting four points, three rebounds, and six assists on 50.0% shooting from the field. He provided a steady hand off the bench, and his absence leaves them thinner on the wing.
Now, the Wolves will also be missing Ayo Dosunmu, who went off for 43 points in the Game 4 win over Denver. He’s been the unlikely hero of the series, and his play led the Wolves to victory after Edwards went down. To date, he’s only played 24 regular-season games for the Wolves, but he’s already made a strong impression that will have everyone missing what he brings to the floor. His status was uncertain going into the game, but now it looks like he could miss extended time after being diagnosed with a calf strain.
In the end, no matter how hard the Wolves fight, the odds are stacked against them. Even with the Nuggets shorthanded, Minnesota is in a miserable state right now, which could be enough to end their season. Nevertheless, they will play with the same energy and effort they brought to the first five games, leaning on the remaining veterans (Gobert, Randle, McDaniels) to fill the gaps and elevate their production.
