NBA: Anthony Edwards out for Wolves' matchup with Suns

The Minnesota Timberwolves will have to find a way to win without their star player Tuesday night.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s top scorer and 2026 All-Star Game MVP, is sidelined with a sore right knee. His teammates will have to step up when the Timberwolves host the Phoenix Suns in Minneapolis.

Minnesota is 6-4 this season in games without Edwards. The contest kicks off a three-game homestand after the Timberwolves returned from a 1-3 road trip, capped by a 116-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

“It wasn't a great trip. No denying that,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We would've liked to come out of here with another win or two at least. But it's the West. Everything's tough. Have to focus on what we have to do ahead of us at home.”

Phoenix arrives on short rest after flying in from Boston late Monday night, coming off a 120-112 loss to the Celtics. The Suns have dropped back-to-back games following a four-game winning streak.

Reserve guard Jordan Goodwin said the team cannot let the two-game skid become a prolonged slump. Phoenix is 10 games above .500 and vying for playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference.

“All losses right now are tough,” Goodwin said in Boston. “(This) hurts a little bit more because of what we're playing for. We need this one bad—especially against a team in front of us in the standings.”

The Suns will get a boost in avoiding Edwards, who played the last two games despite being listed as questionable. The injury appeared to affect him in Sunday’s loss, finishing with 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting.

Edwards is averaging 29.5 points per game on 49.2% shooting this season. Julius Randle leads the team’s supporting cast with 21.1 points per game, while Jaden McDaniels averages 14.5. Naz Reid, fourth on Minnesota with 13.7 points per game, is questionable with a right shoulder contusion after aggravating the injury against Oklahoma City.

Phoenix will rely on Devin Booker, who scored 40 points against Boston and averages 25.7 points per game. Haywood Highsmith will look to stay hot after posting a season-high 16 points off the Suns’ bench, hitting 4 of 5 from three-point range.

Tuesday’s game marks the third and final regular-season meeting between the teams. Phoenix won both previous matchups: 114-113 on Nov. 21 in Phoenix and 108-105 on Dec. 8 in Minneapolis.

-Field Level Media/Reuters