The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-96 in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series, taking a 3-1 lead. However, the victory came at a high cost as the team lost both of its starting guards to leg injuries during the first half of the game in Minneapolis.
Donte DiVincenzo was the first to exit after injuring his lower right leg in the opening minutes when he slipped to the court while chasing a ball. DiVincenzo suffered a torn Achilles tendon, which ends his current season and puts his 2026-27 season in great jeopardy. In the first three games of the series, DiVincenzo had averaged 14.3 points and made 11 of 22 3-pointers.
Star guard Anthony Edwards was also ruled out after his left knee appeared to buckle in the second quarter as he landed after contesting a layup. While his knee remained structurally intact, Edwards has a bone bruise and a hyperextension. He is expected to miss multiple weeks. Leading up to the injury, the sixth-seeded Timberwolves' star had averaged a team-high 23.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.
The Timberwolves now face Game 5 of the series on Monday night in Denver without both starting guards.