Donte DiVincenzo’s season ended after just 1 minute and 19 seconds of Game 4, diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon by ESPN’s Shams Charania, while Anthony Edwards exited late in the first half with a left knee injury whose severity remained undetermined as of Saturday night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost both starting guards before halftime, yet still secured a 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets to take a 3-1 series lead in their Western Conference quarterfinal matchup, fueled by a career-high 43 points from bench guard Ayo Dosunmu.
DiVincenzo’s injury appeared non-contact as he chased a loose ball in the opening minutes, immediately signaling distress by waving to the bench and putting no weight on his right foot before being helped to the locker room and later leaving the arena in a wheelchair.
Edwards went down while contesting a layup late in the second quarter, his left knee buckling on landing as he grabbed the joint in visible frustration; trainers assisted him off the floor, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game during the third quarter.
Coach Chris Finch expressed visible emotion after the game, saying he felt “completely devastated for Donte” and admitted the losses were “really tough, tough emotionally for our guys,” while offering no definitive update on Edwards’ condition beyond stating, “Nothing. Nothing definitive.”
Dosunmu, who entered the game averaging minimal offensive output, delivered a historic performance off the bench, becoming only the fourth player in NBA playoff history to score 40+ points in a reserve role, a direct response to the sudden absence of Minnesota’s primary backcourt.
Edwards had been Minnesota’s leading scorer in the series prior to Game 4, averaging 23 points and eight rebounds, while DiVincenzo had contributed 14.3 points per game and shot 11-of-22 from three-point range in the first three contests.
The Timberwolves entered the game with a 2-1 series lead, and despite dropping behind at halftime as the Nuggets led 54-50, Minnesota’s bench outscored Denver’s by 26 points in the second half to seize control and close out the win.
Edwards’ injury adds to a season already marred by physical setbacks; he had appeared in just 61 games due to recurring knee and elbow issues, falling short of the threshold needed for individual award eligibility after losing an exemption appeal.
Despite the setbacks, Finch emphasized the team’s resolve, noting the win was dedicated to the injured guards, with Dosunmu stating in a televised interview, “This is for them. Ant, Donte, they mean so much to the organization.”
What the injuries mean for Minnesota’s playoff rotation moving forward
With both starting guards sidelined, Minnesota will rely increasingly on Mike Conley to handle primary playmaking duties, supplemented by increased minutes for rookie guard Rob Dillingham and veteran wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to fill the void in backcourt scoring and defense.
How Dosunmu’s performance compares to historic bench efforts in NBA playoff history
His 43-point output joins only three other instances in postseason history where a non-starter scored 40 or more: Dell Curry’s 44 in 1994, Tyler Herro’s 47 in 2020, and Malik Monk’s 42 in 2023, all coming in elimination or high-leverage scenarios.
What remains unknown about Anthony Edwards’ knee injury
The Timberwolves have not disclosed whether Edwards suffered structural damage such as an ACL or meniscus tear, with further imaging and specialist evaluation underway to determine the extent of the hyperextension injury and timetable for return.
Will Donte DiVincenzo be available for the playoffs if Minnesota advances?
No, a torn Achilles tendon typically ends a player’s season, and DiVincenzo is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, including any potential deep playoff run by the Timberwolves.
Is there a timetable for Anthony Edwards’ return based on current information?
No timetable has been established, as Edwards is still undergoing additional testing to determine the severity of his left knee injury, with the team providing no updates beyond confirming he was ruled out for Game 4.
