The Minnesota Timberwolves went into a head-to-head battle against the Utah Jazz on 16 March. The game was a heated battle right from tip-off, as both teams were tied at 48-48 at the end of the first half. However, a devastating blow could have ruined Minnesota’s chances of winning in the second half. Their superstar, Anthony Edwards, injured his right foot during the closing seconds of the second quarter and left the game.
Edwards fell awkwardly on the floor after stepping on Taylor Hendricks’ foot while trying to split the Jazz’s defense. The 22-year-old immediately grabbed his right ankle in pain and got subbed out of the game. Edwards limped off to the locker room to address the injury. He had scored 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists before injuring his ankle.
Anthony Edwards heads to the locker room early after an apparent right leg injury. #RaisedByWolves | #NBA pic.twitter.com/KKrzqGNUv4
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) March 17, 2024
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Fortunately for the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards returned to the court to start the second half. While the extent of his injury is unknown, it did not look too serious, considering Edwards could continue playing. The incident is very similar to last week’s Timberwolves vs. Pacers game. Edwards tweaked his left ankle five seconds into last Thursday’s game. He left the game immediately as the fans feared a major injury. However, Edwards shocked everyone and returned within minutes to finish the game. He went off for 44 points in that game and even had a game-saving block for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota later saw Anthony Edwards propel the team to a 119-100 victory with a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds. The Timberwolves have fallen from the top spot since Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury. And every win is crucial for them to grab the top seed again.
Is Anthony Edwards jeopardizing his career with risky plays?
Anthony Edwards has rapidly turned into a superstar. The 22-year-old is averaging 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5 assists in his 4th season. Many have even deemed Edwards the “Next Face of the NBA.” He has insane athleticism and produces unbelievable highlights every time he steps on the court. However, Edwards’ alienlike athleticism also raises concerns about his long-term health. In last week’s game against the Pacers, Edwards suffered two scary falls that could have been deadly for him. Ant-Man nearly fell head-first after hitting his head on the rim during his game-winning block.
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Anthony Edwards has superstar potential written all over him. But he needs to be more careful about how he moves on the court. There are several superstars whose potential got wasted due to career-ending injuries. A prime example is Derrick Rose. Despite becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, Rose was never able to reach his true potential due to injuries. Hopefully, Edwards will be more careful while playing and avoid going on that path.