There’s nothing like a cliffhanger in the NBA playoffs, right? You’re down 3-1, the pressure’s so thick you could slice it with a knife, and it’s like that for a reason. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit is an insurmountable task for any team in the playoffs. It has only been done 13 times in NBA history. And standing on the wrong side of history just adds to the boiling pressure of the playoffs.

Trailing 3-1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves need to put on historic performances during the next three games to reach the NBA Finals, starting with tonight’s Game 5. And they’ll need the likes of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert to be firing on all cylinders along with Game 3’s intense aggression from the start. So, the question on every fan’s lips: Is Anthony Edwards suiting up tonight?

After battling through a nagging ankle injury post Game 1 vs OKC that had tongues wagging and heart rates spiking across Minnesota, Edwards is ready to lace up for Game 5 against the Thunder. That’s right, the guy who’s been teasing us with flashes of MVP-level brilliance this season is back on the floor, and you better believe the stakes couldn’t be higher. The rest of the squad are healthy as well and here’s how the Timberwolves could potentially line up against the Thunder tonight:

But what exactly does Edwards’ return mean for a Timberwolves squad that’s been dancing on the edge of elimination? Can his scoring and unshakeable confidence flip the script, or is this just delaying the inevitable? The answers are as juicy as the playoff drama itself.

What Anthony Edwards’ playing tonight in Game 5 vs OKC means for the Wolves

OKC leads the series 3-1. The Thunder, with their gritty defense and efficient offense, are smelling blood. The Wolves need a win tonight to keep their season alive, and Edwards playing means their top offensive catalyst and emotional heartbeat is back in the mix. Because Edwards is no stranger to shining in do-or-die moments. His fearless drives, silky step-back threes, and jaw-dropping dunks have the power to flip momentum faster than you can say “game winner.” But here’s the thing, folks, he hasn’t been 100% recently, and playoff defenses love to exploit any chink in the armor.

That ankle injury? It wasn’t just a minor bruise. It limited his explosiveness and forced the Wolves to scramble, leaning heavily on players like Randle, McDaniels, and DiVincenzo to carry the load. With Edwards playing, that dynamic is expected to change as the Thunder’s defense has to respect every inch of the floor now. They can’t just pack the paint or double-team, because Edwards will make them pay from anywhere.

But how sharp will “Ant-Man” be? That’s the million-dollar question. Will his shot have the usual crispness? Will he have the energy to carry the Wolves through what will undoubtedly be a brutal battle? If he’s at 80%, that might be enough to swing the game. At 100%? Watch out, because the Thunder’s days of running the Wolves off the court might be numbered.

Minnesota’s playoff fate isn’t resting on Edwards alone, though. Even with their star, the Wolves must tighten up defensively, especially on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s shooters. In Game 4, OKC’s perimeter barrage exposed some serious cracks, with Anthony scoring just 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. And if Minnesota wants to extend its season, they need way more than what they are already delivering.

But make no mistake, having Edwards in the lineup changes the entire vibe. It injects hope, urgency, and that spark of unpredictable brilliance. Wolves coach Chris Finch knows this well. His rotations and game plan will be tweaked to maximize Edwards’ minutes without overtaxing him too soon.

And let’s not forget the psychological boost. When Edwards is on the floor, the Wolves play with a different swagger with a blend of youthful confidence and sheer will. The question is: After that brutal 128-126 loss in Game 4, can they translate that energy into consistent stops and timely buckets when the game clock ticks down?

And if Edwards flashes even a fraction of his regular-season form (23.9 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.2 ast in 381 games), that could tilt this series back toward Minnesota in a heartbeat. Will it be enough to push the Thunder back against the ropes? Maybe. But this drama is far from over.

If Minnesota can ride Anthony Edwards’ dynamite scoring and tighten their defense, this series could drag into a nail-biting Game 6. Otherwise, expect the Thunder to close out and keep the Cinderella story alive in Oklahoma City.