Anthony Edwards has been one of the best players in the NBA this season, averaging a career-high 29.5 points per game. So when he missed six straight games with right knee inflammation, the Minnesota Timberwolves felt it. The Wolves went 4-2 without him, but their offense was largely a mess.
He came back Monday against Dallas and the difference was immediate. Minnesota blew out the Mavericks 124-94, with Edwards scoring 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench. The Wolves led by as many as 33 in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Edwards talked about what's been clicking for this group, and his answer on the chemistry between himself, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu was pretty telling.
"Well, they play fast, I play slow," Edwards said. "So I think it's like a good combination of both, but they definitely make me run a little bit more. So it's actually good for me. Especially going into the playoffs, I get my cardio up."
Mar 30, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dunks the ball past Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesA New-Look Backcourt That's Working
DiVincenzo and Dosunmu are both high-motor, pace-setting guards who don't need the ball to impact a game. That's a different dynamic than what Edwards is used to operating alongside.
He's built his game around isolation creation and pull-up scoring, skills that tend to slow a possession down. The fact that he's already recognizing and embracing the tempo contrast is a good sign.
Dosunmu had a triple-double Monday with 16 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. DiVincenzo chipped in 15 points on 5-of-9 from three. The Wolves generated 33 fast-break points, which is exactly the kind of offense that opens up Edwards' slower, more methodical game on the other end of possessions.
The three of them haven't had much time together yet. Edwards missed six games, and Dosunmu dealt with his own injury absence during that stretch. Building chemistry in the final seven games of the regular season while managing minutes isn't ideal, but Monday was at least an encouraging start.
The Bigger Picture for Minnesota
Edwards needs to play in every remaining game to hit the 65-game threshold for All-NBA eligibility. He's averaging 29.5 points per game, third in the league, and has a legitimate case for All-NBA consideration if he qualifies. That gives him extra incentive to stay on the floor even with the knee still not fully right.
Minnesota also has seeding to worry about. The Wolves sit fifth in the West, half a game ahead of Houston and 1.5 games behind Denver for fourth. Getting Edwards back healthy and in rhythm matters not just for the regular season but for whatever playoff run comes next.
He said it himself. Cardio up, playoffs coming. The Wolves are ready to find out what this group looks like at full strength.