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Timberwolves Host Game 5, Count on Depth Amid Injuries

4/28/2026

26 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Timberwolves Eye Victory

Minnesota will host Game 5 against Denver on April 27, 2026, while holding a 3-1 series lead.
Anthony Edwards’ knee injury will sideline him for weeks while Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles rupture ends his season.
Mike Conley will start at point guard as Ayo Dosunmu, who scored 43 in Game 4, leads scoring.
The Timberwolves will rely on depth to close the series and preserve the 3-1 advantage.

Summary

Dosunmu Signs

Ayo Dosunmu can sign a $52.4 million deal June 30, enabling Timberwolves to exceed cap with his Bird rights.
Timberwolves obtained Dosunmu from Chicago on Feb 4, 2026 for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks.
His Game 4 43-point was the first 40-plus point game with >=75 % FG, 100 % 3-pt (min 5) and FT (min 10).
The breakout makes him a replacement while Anthony Edwards misses up to four weeks, allowing Minnesota to keep star.

History

Historical Context

After the NBA reinstated a soft salary cap in 1984-85 ($4.6 million), the 1995 collective bargaining agreement retained the Larry Bird exception, letting teams exceed the cap to keep their own free agents. The Bulls used it in September 1995 to re-sign Michael Jordan, and the Timberwolves later relied on the same rule for Ayo Dosunmu’s contract.

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Timberwolves Eye Victory

Minnesota will host Game 5 against Denver on April 27, 2026, while holding a 3-1 series lead.
Anthony Edwards’ knee injury will sideline him for weeks while Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles rupture ends his season.
Mike Conley will start at point guard as Ayo Dosunmu, who scored 43 in Game 4, leads scoring.
The Timberwolves will rely on depth to close the series and preserve the 3-1 advantage.

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