Report: ‘Optimism’ Wolves’ Edwards could return vs. Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
As the Warriors anxiously await Gary Payton II’s potential return against Minnesota on Sunday, the Timberwolves might receive a significant boost of their own when the two teams clash at the Chase Center.
There’s optimism that Wolves star Anthony Edwards, who suffered a high-ankle sprain last Friday against the Chicago Bulls, could return to face Golden State, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported Saturday, citing league sources.
The no. 7-seeded Timberwolves sit just 1 1/2 games back from the No. 6 Warriors in the Western Conference standings. But regardless of who’s on the court, Sunday’s matchup is sure to offer plenty of fireworks as both teams seek an outright NBA playoff berth.
With just seven regular-season games remaining, the defending-champion Warriors are hoping to end the season on a high note and avoid the play-in tournament. Minnesota is certainly looking to do the same, although they emerged victorious in last season’s gauntlet before falling to the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening playoff round.
The Timberwolves have won two of their three games without Edwards, and they’ll only get better upon his return. The 21-year-old phenom was averaging 24.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists before he went down against the Bulls.
The Warriors, meanwhile, announced Payton is expected to practice with the team Saturday and could face the Timberwolves after missing Golden State’s last 19 games with an adductor injury, following a trade-deadline deal that sent him back to the Bay.
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Payton’s possible return comes at the perfect time, with playoff implications on the table and the Warriors in search of their fourth straight win. But Minnesota certainly feels the same way about potentially getting Edwards back.
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