The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals, but they'll have to do it shorthanded. As they prepare to host the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night, the injury report is casting a long shadow over their championship aspirations.

After dropping Game 5 on the road Tuesday, the Timberwolves still hold a 3-2 series lead. A win on their home court would punch their ticket to the next round—but they may have to do it without several key contributors.

Headlining the injury list is superstar guard Anthony Edwards, who has been ruled out with a bone bruise in his left knee. This marks his second consecutive absence, and reports indicate he's expected to miss multiple weeks. For a team looking to close out a series, losing their leading scorer is a gut punch.

The backcourt depth takes another hit with Donte DiVincenzo already sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn Achilles in Game 4. That leaves the Timberwolves scrambling for offensive firepower.

Adding to the uncertainty, guard Bones Hyland is listed as questionable with left knee soreness. If he's unable to suit up, it would be his first missed game of the playoffs. With Edwards and DiVincenzo already out, Hyland's potential absence would leave Minnesota dangerously thin in the backcourt.

Should Hyland be sidelined, expect Ayo Dosunmu and veteran Mike Conley to shoulder even heavier loads. Both players will need to step up significantly if the Timberwolves hope to close out the series without their star trio.

Game 6 tips off Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. ET from Minneapolis, airing live on ESPN. For Timberwolves fans, it's a test of depth and resilience—can the supporting cast rise to the occasion, or will the Nuggets force a winner-take-all Game 7?