Minnesota Timberwolves fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Star guard Anthony Edwards is officially available and will be in the starting lineup when the team faces the Washington Wizards on Saturday, January 4, 2025. The dynamic scorer is not listed on the injury report and faces no restrictions, a significant boost for the Wolves on the second night of a back-to-back.
Full Timberwolves and Wizards Injury Report
The Timberwolves are arriving in Washington in robust health. Anthony Edwards and forward Julius Randle are both fully healthy, allowing head coach Chris Finch to deploy his regular rotation without hesitation. The only player sidelined for Minnesota is Terrence Shannon Jr., who continues to recover from a left foot abductor hallucis strain and is expected to miss more time.
The situation is more complicated for the home team. The Washington Wizards will be without two key players: Kyshawn George (hip injury) and Cam Whitmore (shoulder issue with deep vein thrombosis). Big man Tristan Vukcevic is marked as questionable due to illness and will be a game-time decision. On a positive note for Washington, wing Corey Kispert has been cleared to return after missing several games with a hamstring strain.
Edwards' Dominant Form and Game Context
Anthony Edwards enters the contest in scintillating form, carrying the offensive load for Minnesota. He is coming off a 33-point performance in a 125-115 victory over the Miami Heat, adding five assists, three rebounds, and a steal. This marked his second consecutive game with at least 30 points.
Over his last eight outings, Edwards has been on a tear, averaging approximately 30.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in around 37 minutes per game. His aggressive drives to the basket and ability to draw fouls have compensated for any occasional dips in outside shooting. This stellar run has been instrumental in Minnesota's strong 22-13 record, keeping them firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Game Setup and Betting Outlook
The matchup is scheduled for a 6:00 PM ET tip-off (4:30 AM IST on January 5) at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Timberwolves, with their 22-13 record, are heavy favorites against the struggling Wizards, who hold a 9-24 slate.
Sportsbooks list Minnesota as a double-digit favorite, around -10 points. The projected total for the game is near 235.5 points. Statistical models give the Timberwolves a commanding 70 to 75 percent probability of securing the road win. With Edwards healthy and in rhythm, Minnesota is poised to lean heavily on their franchise player to secure the victory and improve their standing.
