The Timberwolves received a massive break on Saturday as they aim to avoid the Western Conference play-in tournament.
After initially appearing as though they’d be without star shooting guard Anthony Edwards due to a suspension after he picked up his 18th technical foul on Friday, the NBA rescinded the initial ruling, allowing the three-time All-Star to play in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
Edwards has started 78 games this season and is averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting, including 39.5 percent from three-point range on 10.2 attempts per game.
The Timberwolves (48-33, seventh in Western Conference) play the Jazz (17-64, 15th in Western Conference) in a game that could have major playoff ramifications. With a win, Minnesota will finish in the top six of the Western Conference standings and advance to the first round of the playoffs without going through the play-in tournament first.
The Wolves might have been fine without Edwards, considering they’re scheduled to play the West’s worst team, but having their star available should squash concerns about a potential upset.
After picking up the technical foul on Friday, Edwards spoke with reporters about what led to the call.
“They called a foul, and I said, “Where was the effin’ foul, and [the ref] gave me a tech.” Edwards said. “I hope they look at it and rescind it so I can play in a couple of days.”
Edwards’ availability increases the likelihood that the loser of Sunday’s Warriors-Clippers game will finish the regular season outside of the top six. The Nuggets also have an outside chance of finishing No. 7, but with their opponent Sunday, the Rockets, already clinching the conference’s No. 2 seed, they have a favorable matchup.
Last season, the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals, where they lost in five games to the Mavericks. Edwards has had one of the greatest starts to a postseason career in NBA history. Per Stathead, he’s one of five players with at least 750 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in his first 27 playoff games, joining Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Pro Basketball Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady.
Sunday’s game against the Jazz isn’t a must-win for Minnesota, but a loss could lead to a premature end to its season with consecutive play-in tournament defeats.
With Edwards no longer exiled because of his technical foul accumulation, the Timberwolves will likely avoid that fate. Instead, Edwards should be able to add another chapter to his already-impressive playoff resume.
