Anthony Edwards joined the TNT postgame coverage right after clinching a thrilling 98-90 Game 7 victory against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. As Charles Barkley began to inquire, "I haven't set foot in Minneapolis in probably 20 years," setting the stage for another viral moment with Edwards at the center.
However, the expectations from the national media, opposing fans, and even the Dallas Mavericks were clear - they anticipated more brilliance from Edwards, particularly after his standout performances in the postseason. Despite Game 7 not being a statistical showcase akin to some of his previous heroics, Edwards showcased his maturity and adaptability on the court, an impressive feat for a 22-year-old on the cusp of superstardom.
The defining moment came in the fourth quarter. Following a Naz Reid put-back that extended the Wolves' lead to seven, making it 89-82, Mike Conley's double team on Jamal Murray resulted in a turnover at half court. Conley swiftly maneuvered to the left wing, then found a streaking Reid, who, after a couple of steps towards the rim, delivered a pinpoint pass to Edwards waiting alone in the right corner.
Despite his earlier struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 1/8, Edwards calmly dribbled, ensured he was behind the three-point line, lined up his shot, and swished it effortlessly. The Nuggets had to call a timeout, trailing 92-82 with 3:07 remaining. Edwards erupted in jubilation, shouting before celebrating with someone in the crowd. This crucial three-pointer marked a pivotal moment, signifying a remarkable 20-point swing since early in the third quarter.Up until that critical moment in the game, Anthony Edwards had been grappling with a tough shooting night, going just 1/8 from beyond the arc. Yet, despite his personal scoring struggles, he showcased a masterclass in decision-making and leadership, actively setting up his teammates for success.
The opening quarter of the game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Edwards managed to break the scoring drought for the Wolves with a tough pull-up jump shot, marking his first points at the 8:46 mark, bringing the score to 4-3 in favor of the Wolves. Throughout the quarter, Denver's defensive focus was clear - they aimed to stifle Edwards at every turn, doubling him on pick-and-rolls, and crowding the paint with defenders to limit his scoring impact. This defensive pressure mirrored the strategy employed in Game 5, but with Mike Conley's presence on the court, the spacing improved, providing Edwards with more opportunities to move the ball effectively.
Despite facing relentless defensive pressure, Edwards demonstrated improved decision-making, as evidenced by his quick ball movement in the first quarter. Twice, he found Conley for open three-pointers, contributing to the Wolves' offensive efforts. Additionally, Edwards showed patience and vision when he drove to the basket, drawing defenders before dishing out to Naz Reid for a key three-pointer, giving the Wolves a 15-12 advantage.
However, despite Edwards' efforts, the first quarter ended with the Nuggets scoring eight unanswered points, leaving the Wolves trailing 24-19. Edwards had managed just two points on 1/5 shooting, indicating the challenge he faced in navigating Denver's defensive schemes.
As the second quarter progressed, the Wolves found themselves struggling to maintain control of the game, with Denver extending their lead to 12 points. Coach Chris Finch made adjustments, subbing Edwards out and turning to Kyle Anderson in an attempt to spark the offense. Although Anderson helped trim the lead to six, Denver maintained control, ultimately heading into halftime with a commanding 53-38 lead.
During the halftime break, Finch emphasized the need for quicker decision-making to Edwards, urging him to simplify his approach. Edwards noted Finch's calm demeanor, emphasizing the coach's focused message of what needed to be done to secure the win.
The start of the third quarter posed a daunting challenge for the Wolves, as Denver quickly increased their lead to 20 points. However, Edwards and his teammates refused to back down, initiating a comeback attempt. Edwards' heightened intensity and aggressive drives to the basket sparked momentum for the Wolves, resulting in scoring opportunities for his teammates. Despite continued shooting struggles, Edwards' attacking mindset created openings, allowing the Wolves to gradually chip away at Denver's lead.
Overall, while Edwards grappled with his shooting woes, his resilience, decision-making, and leadership were instrumental in keeping the Wolves competitive and fueling their comeback efforts.At the 6:40 mark, Anthony Edwards took control after a missed shot from Jamal Murray, penetrating the lane and drawing a triple team from the Nuggets. Rising toward the rim, Edwards found Jaden McDaniels in the corner, who drained a crucial three-pointer, cutting the lead to just nine, 59-50. Momentum was beginning to shift.
Minutes later, Karl-Anthony Towns swiped the ball from Nikola Jokic, igniting a fast break opportunity for Edwards who soared for a thunderous dunk, forcing the Nuggets to call a timeout. Suddenly, the lead had dwindled to just four, 61-57, with 3:05 remaining in the third quarter. The Nuggets were struggling, managing only eight points thus far in the quarter.
Edwards continued to showcase his defensive prowess, stripping Murray and converting another electrifying transition dunk. Then, with just over a second left in the third quarter, he finally found his stroke from beyond the arc, sinking his first three-pointer of the night. The Wolves headed into the final quarter trailing by just one, 67-66, with all the momentum on their side.
The fourth quarter saw a fierce back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets. Minnesota's strategy was clear: utilize Edwards to draw double teams and then exploit the interior. Meanwhile, the Nuggets relied heavily on Jokic to orchestrate their offense, a strategy that proved effective. However, timely plays from Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid kept the Wolves ahead.
With just under five minutes remaining, Murray's jumper off a Jokic assist cut the Wolves' lead to three, 85-82. Reid missed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, but a determined effort on the offensive glass led to an extended possession for Minnesota. Reid's persistence paid off with a crucial tip-in, extending the lead to seven.
As the clock wound down, Edwards sealed the deal with another clutch three-pointer, extending the lead to ten and effectively putting the game out of reach for the Nuggets. In the final moments, Edwards exuded confidence, even waving to the crowd as victory became imminent.
Despite not meeting the lofty scoring expectations, Edwards showcased his versatility and leadership, tallying eight rebounds and seven assists while navigating intense defensive pressure. His resilience and trust in his teammates ultimately propelled the Wolves to victory in Game 7 against the defending champions.
As the postgame interview wrapped up, Edwards's bold proclamation echoed the sentiment of a resurgent Timberwolves team: "This year could be the year." With just eight more wins needed to reach the NBA Finals, the Wolves are poised for a historic run, igniting a newfound excitement among fans and signaling a resurgence for basketball in Minneapolis.