For three straight seasons from 2022-23 until 2024-25, Anthony Edwards missed only three outings while appearing in 79. In an era of load management and sitting out players more frequently, Ant-Man has been one of the more durable superstars in the league.
Unfortunately, this season, Edwards has been forced to miss more games than he previously has. With the announcement that the 24-year-old would miss his second consecutive game on Friday, the hope remains that Ant doesn’t miss too many more so he can be eligible for end-of-season honors, including MVP.
Edwards to miss ninth game on Friday
Friday will make the ninth contest that Edwards will miss this season, the same amount that he missed over the last three years combined. He will now have missed two straight games with right foot injury maintenance. The hope is that he will be able to return on Saturday for the Timberwolves’ outing against the San Antonio Spurs.
Of course, the NBA now has its 65-game minimum rule for players to be eligible for awards and honors such as MVP and the All-NBA teams. That means an individual can miss 17 contests in all to have played 65 total.
At his current rate, Edwards is essentially right at a 65-game pace. Minnesota reached the halfway point of its regular season in Tuesday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. So after Friday’s outing against the Houston Rockets, Edwards will have appeared in 33 of the Wolves’ 42 contests.
In line to make All-NBA team for third-straight year
Without question, Edwards will be on an All-NBA team and at least receive some down MVP votes if he reaches the 65-game threshold. The first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has made the All-NBA second team each of the last two years while also finishing seventh and tied for seventh in MVP voting.
Now in his sixth season, Edwards is averaging a career-high 28.9 points to go along with career-best shooting marks of 50% from the field and 40.9% from 3-point distance. He has numerous big shots in the waning moments of games that could also put Ant-Man in the running for Clutch Player of the Year.
With nine games missed, Edwards will be allowed to miss eight more at most and still be eligible for All-NBA and MVP honors. With the durability he has exhibited throughout his career, I fully expect Ant- Man to get to 65 games played, at minimum. Still, it's certainly worth noting that Edwards can't miss much more time to reach this threshold.