Minnesota opened with a comfortable cushion in the first half, but Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon surged late, turning the tide as the Nuggets gained momentum after halftime.
The Wolves’ offense stalled in the half court when Edwards went to the bench, and Donte DiVincenzo cooled off after an early burst of four 3-pointers, contributing to a momentum shift and more turnovers.
Edwards, who has battled knee issues late in the regular season, did not reach the 65-game threshold for postseason awards, a factor that underscored his limited impact in this game.
Prior to tip, Edwards was listed as questionable; coach Chris Finch acknowledged he hadn’t felt 100 percent but believed Edwards could play and would need to find his rhythm in the playoff setting.
An update ahead of Game 2 from ESPN’s Anthony Slater indicated Edwards went through shooting and conditioning drills and was expected to play if cleared, a development that would be significant for Minnesota’s chances.
Game 2 tips off at 9:30 p.m. local time, and the Wolves will rely on Edwards being close to his best to counter a healthier Nuggets squad and even the series at home.
