It was widely assumed that Anthony Edwards would be out for at least the start of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. When he suffered a hyperextended knee/bone bruise just before halftime in Game 4 of the opening round, it was later announced that he would miss “multiple weeks”. Early Sunday afternoon, Shams Charania announced that he could return for Game 3 or 4.
There’s a reason that in his 6 years in the NBA, Ant-Man has been known as an incredibly quick healer. A few hours after Shams’ report, the team stated that he had been cleared for on-court activity. Edwards could now be suiting up for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday in Game 1.
While that is extraordinary news for the Wolves, you have to wonder how much risk is involved with him if he does come back much sooner than expected.
Seems quite risky for Ant to play in Game 1
Edwards' injury sustained in the first-round was to his left knee. One has to remember that he had right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee, and that caused him to miss 11 of the last 14 regular season games.
Even when he was active, including during the first 3.5 games of the Denver Nuggets series prior to hurting his left knee, it seemed evident that he wasn’t quite 100 percent. Ant could be seen grimacing at times, and while he did a stellar job of protecting the rim, there were instances where he appeared to be laboring.
Remember, that same runner’s knee injury caused Steph Curry to be sidelined for 27 straight contests this season for the Golden State Warriors. Sure, Curry is almost a decade and a half older than Edwards, but it’s an injury that has been known to linger for some time.
Edwards is just 24 years old, and it just makes me nervous if he’s playing on not just one bum knee, but both. Constant knee troubles have derailed, or at least slowed down, the careers of some superb players (Derrick Rose is an obvious example).
Giannis Antetokounmpo probably has no regrets about playing through a hyperextended knee during the Milwaukee Bucks’ title run in 2021. His words let it be known that it could affect him for the long-term though, as he would later say this about the injury,
"To this day, I feel the effect, the traumatic stress. I still feel it, and I think I'm going to feel it until I die."
The Greek Freak is still an incredible player, but he has experienced his fair share of lower-body injuries since that championship.
Maybe Ant-Man truly is good to go. He would know best. At this very moment, though, it seems like a major risk (with the possibility of a high reward).
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