Anthony Edwards could skip the All-Star Game: “I’m banged up”
Anthony Edwards may opt out of the NBA All-Star Game despite being selected. The Timberwolves star admits he’s dealing with wear and tear after weeks of heavy minutes
The selection is in, but his participation is far from guaranteed. Anthony Edwards, the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves, could choose to skip the NBA All-Star Game despite earning his fourth consecutive nod among the league’s elite.
After a hard-fought 128-126 win over the Toronto Raptors, Edwards didn’t hide his concerns about his physical condition. No serious injury, but accumulated fatigue that could influence his decision in the coming days.
I’m pretty banged up. I might not play. We’ll see
Anthony Edwards, via Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic
What worries the Timberwolves’ staff the most is his workload. Edwards is averaging 37.5 minutes over his last 10 games, including 38 minutes against Toronto. That kind of usage, in the heart of the regular season, inevitably raises questions about managing his body.
Being selected to the All-Star Game is an important recognition, especially after missing out on a starting spot in an extremely competitive Western Conference. Still, the symbolic value of the event seems to matter less and less to many players.
An All-Star Game increasingly overlooked
In recent years, the NBA All-Star Game has lost much of its competitive edge. Intensity has dropped, and more players now view it as an unnecessary risk – especially those central to their team’s ambitions.
From that perspective, skipping the showcase could be a logical choice, both for Edwards and for Minnesota, which is focused on far more concrete goals in the second half of the season.
Other stars also at risk of sitting out
If Edwards were to pull out, a new spot would automatically open on the All-Star Game roster. And he wouldn’t be alone: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also at risk of missing the event, a scenario that could force the NBA to step in with one or more replacements.
Another sign that the league may need to rethink the format and significance of the event, in order to restore prestige to a stage meant to truly celebrate “the best of the best.”