The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets have been uniquely tied together since their seven-game classic in 2024. At the time, it was clear that Tim Connelly was appointed as the Timberwolves’ new president of basketball operations to take down the Nuggets, where he had served in the same role.
His vision worked to perfection, as Minnesota beat the reigning champions at the time in the second round. Since then, though, both rosters have undergone a myriad of changes. Now, as they face off once again, this time in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, one analyst believes the key is Anthony Edwards.
Why Anthony Edwards Needs Perfection to Surpass the Nuggets
This season, the Timberwolves as a whole have underperformed to some extent. As the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, they were five games behind their opponents. The scarier part for them, though, is the injury to Edwards.
Suiting up in just three games since the middle of March, he was initially diagnosed with knee soreness. However, it has remained an issue for him all season, leading him to fall short of the 65-game threshold for NBA awards.
After coming back to the court against the Houston Rockets on April 10, it seems like he should be good to go in the first round against Denver. And Chris Broussard of “First Things First” on FS1 believes he is critical for any chance the Timberwolves might have.
“I don’t think Minnesota has their number like we feel they did a couple of years ago. And Denver is getting healthy,” Broussard began. “Anthony Edwards has not looked himself for a month now… but I’m not sure he’s a 100%. For them to have a legit chance, he’s not only gonna have to be 100%, but he’s going to have to be on fire.”
āFor them to have a legit chance, [Anthony Edwards] is not only gonna have to be 100%, heās gonna have to be on fire.ā@Chris_Broussard doesnāt think the T-Wolves have the Nuggetsā number like they used to š pic.twitter.com/EAntbik0B1
ā First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 14, 2026
This year, the Nuggets have had the edge in the regular season, going 3-1 over the Timberwolves. But a healthy Edwards, alongside a solid supporting cast, has surprised people in the playoffs consistently.
Since his arrival as the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Edwards has quickly cemented himself as the best player on the Timberwolves. His success has benefited the franchise as well, making them a perennial playoff threat.
That includes back-to-back trips to the conference finals as he continues to become a more complete player. Coming in as a flashy high-flyer, Edwards has become a true three-level scorer and one of the best shooters in the game.
Over the last two seasons, he’s shot over 39% from 3-point range while averaging over 9 attempts per night. That has translated to a scoring burst, as he’s continued to improve his numbers, now averaging a career-high with 28.8 points per game.
This season, too, they will be hoping for a similar result, but the key lies with the former first overall pick.
