The Western Conference semifinals open Monday night at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, and the Minnesota Timberwolves already have a major question mark hanging over Game 1.
Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable with a left knee bone bruise, while Ayo Dosunmu is also questionable with right calf soreness.
Minnesota’s injury report also includes Donte DiVincenzo, who is out with a right Achilles tendon repair. That is a meaningful absence for a team that has leaned on his perimeter shooting and ball movement throughout the playoffs.
Edwards has been one of the Wolves’ biggest shot creators in the postseason, averaging 18.5 points in four games while adding 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. If he plays, his ability to attack downhill could be the difference between Minnesota controlling the pace or settling for tougher half-court possessions.
Dosunmu has quietly been one of the most efficient scorers in the playoff field, putting up 21.8 points per game on 60.9% shooting. His status matters because Minnesota has used him as an aggressive second-side option when the offense stalls.
Julius Randle, who is averaging 19.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in the playoffs, would likely carry more of the scoring load if either guard is limited. Rudy Gobert’s 10.7 rebounds per game also become even more important against a Spurs team that can punish missed shots in transition.
San Antonio’s lone injury concern is Carter Bryant, who is questionable with a right foot sprain. That may affect the Spurs’ depth, but their top end remains intact heading into the series opener.
De’Aaron Fox has averaged 20.2 points and 6.8 assists in the playoffs, while Victor Wembanyama has been dominant on both ends with 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game. Those numbers give San Antonio a strong base even if Bryant is unavailable.
The matchup is especially sensitive because Minnesota closed the first round with a 4-2 series win over Denver, while San Antonio advanced 4-1 over Portland.
