There is no question that Anthony Edwards can carry the Minnesota Timberwolves to great heights in the postseason, but the Georgia product has limited time to get to where the Timberwolves need him to be before a potential playoff run. Edwards is clearly one of the very best players in the NBA. He proved that by taking Minnesota to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances.
However, the former number one pick hasn't quite looked like himself since returning from injury, and his right knee issue is a major area of concern ahead of the playoffs. Edwards missed six straight games with his injury before coming back in a game on March 30 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Edwards was limited to just over 23 minutes while on a minutes restriction, so it surprised nobody that he had one of his lowest scoring (17 points) performances of the season. Edwards was not only not his normal dominant self on offense, but his defense wasn't as impressive as normal, either.
Edwards then missed the next game before re-entering the lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers. There, he only scored eight points. That was his second-lowest scoring output of the year, only surpassing a five-point game in three minutes of action to begin the season.
Anthony Edwards needs to find momentum before the playoffs
Nobody is blaming Edwards for looking a little rusty coming off an injury. He should be afforded the benefit of the doubt that he will figure things out and play like one of the very best players in the league come the playoffs.
However, the games leading up to the postseason are not only crucial for seeding and playoff matchups, but they also play a big part in how teams and players actually perform in the postseason. Gaining momentum before the playoffs begin can result in said momentum carrying a team deep into the postseason.
Edwards and his Timberwolves have the opposite of momentum going on right now. Edwards has struggled, and it has resulted in losses in four of Minnesota's last five games. Now, the shooting guard is expected to miss Minnesota's very next game against the Indiana Pacers, too.
Of course, the first priority is making sure Edwards gets healthy and stays that way for the playoffs. The fact that he might go into the postseason a little rusty is worrisome, though. The Western Conference is stacked, and Minnesota might not be able to afford a scenario where its best player needs a few games to get his feet under him.
The Timberwolves have only four regular season games left, and Edwards can play in a maximum of three of those now. Edwards' next opportunity to suit up will come on April 8 against the Orlando Magic. Hopefully, the Ant-Man will be ready to get back on the hardwood and ease the nerves of Timberwolves fans by playing like the superstar that everybody knows him to be.