Timberwolves lose Anthony Edwards to injury, then fall in double overtime to Chicago

CHICAGO — There’s a nightmare scenario that could doom the Timberwolves’ already tumultuous season — Anthony Edwards could suffer a serious injury.

The Wolves fanbase held their collective breath in Friday’s 139-131 double overtime loss to the Bulls when Edwards left in the first quarter with an apparent right foot or ankle injury. Edwards cried out in pain after landing awkwardly on his right foot in the first quarter with 3 minutes and 55 seconds left.

Wolves called time out and attended to Edwards, who needed help getting up and going to the locker room. He couldn’t put pressure on his right foot like he did. He was also screaming in pain as he climbed out of the ground.

The team initially said Edwards was doubtful of returning at the end of the first half. But after half-time, it demoted him. There was no immediate word on an injury diagnosis from Edwards.

He came off the bench in a walking boot to watch the final minutes of regulation and extra time. Wolves certainly missed Edwards in extra time. Wolves had the ball up two with a second separating the shot and game clocks in regulation time when Taurean Prince turned it over. That led to a Zach LaVine tying layup with 11.5 seconds left. Jaden McDaniels then missed a shot to win it for Wolves. Wolves didn’t have enough punch to keep pace in the second overtime as DeMar DeRozan finished with 49 points and LaVine had 39.

Mike Conley (28 points), who had a career-high eight threes, and McDaniels (25 points) tried to provide the Wolves offense down the stretch. Wolves also had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but Kyle Anderson was called off for a double dribble before firing a shot.

A potential loss of Edwards for an extended period could cripple Wolves’ chances of winning and advancing into the playoffs. The 21-year-old is their leading scorer, a first-time All-Star, and the player who gets the most defensive attention on the field. Edwards has played every game this season, a point of pride for him, while averaging 25 points, six rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

He helped keep their playoff hopes alive despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ extended absence with a right calf injury. Towns, out since Nov. 28, is making progress in his comeback and has recently increased his training activity. He was one of the people who helped Edwards up.

Wolves had to walk without him on Friday night in a winnable road game. Wolves got 21 points and 19 rebounds from Rudy Gobert before he fouled out in the first overtime. Anderson threw his fourth career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.