Anthony Edwards didn't start against the Trail Blazers on Monday night because he was late for tip-off ... but he insisted after the game his tardiness had nothing to do with any sort of lengthy trip to the can.
As Minnesota was preparing to take on Portland at the Target Center ... Edwards was nowhere to be found -- forcing the T-Wolves to start Nickeil Alexander-Walker instead.
Edwards eventually made his way to the floor as action got underway -- but he had to wait at the scorer's table until he could finally check in at the 11:25 mark of the first quarter due to his pregame absence.