The Denver Nuggets enter the 2026 NBA playoffs riding high after a dominant finish to the regular season, but a significant development from their first-round opponents has suddenly complicated their path.
On Tuesday, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch delivered a highly anticipated update on star Anthony Edwards following practice: “Ant was full go today.” The declaration, reported by The Athletic’s senior writer Jon Krawczynski, signals that the 24-year-old superstar has recovered from the right knee pain and inflammation that plagued him during the final stretch of the regular season.
For the Timberwolves, it’s a massive boost. For the Nuggets, it’s unwelcome news that could reshape the entire first-round series.
Edwards’ Return Levels the Playing Field
The No. 6-seeded Timberwolves will face the No. 3-seeded Nuggets in a rematch of recent playoff battles, with Denver closing the regular season on a sizzling 12-game winning streak. On paper, the Nuggets entered the matchup as clear favorites, especially given Edwards’ limited availability late in the year.
Edwards missed multiple games in March and April while the Timberwolves carefully managed his workload after locking up a playoff berth. He was also rested for Minnesota’s final regular-season contest, raising legitimate questions about his readiness for the postseason. Without their dynamic leader, the Wolves looked noticeably different: they went just 4-4 in Edwards’ final eight games of the season and ranked a middling 14th in offensive rating during that span.
Now, with confirmation that Edwards participated fully in practice, those concerns appear to have evaporated. The playoff version of Anthony Edwards — the explosive scorer capable of taking over games — is back, and that changes the complexion of the series dramatically.
A Familiar Nightmare for Denver
This will be the third playoff meeting between these teams in the last four seasons. The most recent encounter still stings in Denver: in 2024, the Timberwolves eliminated the defending champion Nuggets in a grueling seven-game series en route to the Western Conference Finals. Edwards was unstoppable in that series, averaging 27.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
Those memories remain fresh for the Nuggets. Their defensive game plan had likely been built around attacking a potentially compromised Edwards. With the All-Star now reported at full strength, Denver must quickly adjust its approach to contain one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
Minnesota brings more than just Edwards, of course. The Timberwolves boast a formidable supporting cast featuring defensive anchor Rudy Gobert, versatile wing Jaden McDaniels, and versatile forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Together, they give Minnesota the physicality and depth to compete in what promises to be a hard-fought, high-stakes series.
Series Outlook
Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday in Denver, where the Nuggets will enjoy home-court advantage. While Denver’s late-season momentum and overall roster strength still make them the favorite in the eyes of many, Edwards’ timely return has narrowed the gap considerably.
The Nuggets will need to find answers for the “full-go” version of Anthony Edwards — the same player who has haunted them in previous postseasons. For Minnesota, the message is clear: with their franchise cornerstone healthy and locked in, they have the tools to once again challenge one of the Western Conference’s elite teams.
The playoffs are here, and this first-round matchup just got a lot more interesting.