Anthony Edwards Knocks Out the Thunder: “And Yet They Always Criticize Me…”
Edwards delivers in crunch time with a three-pointer and two defensive plays, as Minnesota holds on and hands the Thunder their third loss of the season
Minnesota – Oklahoma City wasn’t pretty, but it was real – intense and tense. And in the end, Anthony Edwards decided it, looking more and more comfortable exactly where it matters most: in the clutch.
The Timberwolves beat a team that had looked nearly flawless so far, 112-107. They did it while shooting poorly (34-of-92 from the field), missing an alarming number of free throws, and even losing head coach Chris Finch midway through the first quarter after he was ejected for excessive protesting.
Coming back after missing three games, Edwards wasted no time: 26 points, 12 rebounds, and – above all – the plays that matter. With 36 seconds left, he drilled the go-ahead three with Lu Dort glued to him. On the next possession, he blocked and then stripped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Game over. The Thunder closed on an 0-8 run and suffered just their third loss of the season.
It was electric. The fans brought energy. Even the coach brought energy in the first quarter before he got thrown out, and we had to respond. I get criticized a lot for not wanting the big moment, and yet…
Anthony Edwards to Prime Video
Shai, the reigning MVP, still did his part: 35 points, a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, always involved. This time, though, it wasn’t enough. Minnesota won because it defended, because it fought, and because it got unexpected contributions – like Bones Hyland’s 13 points in 15 minutes off the bench.
It wasn’t a flashy night, but it said a lot about the Wolves. When the shots aren’t falling, they stay upright. And with Edwards on the floor, until the final buzzer, relaxing is never an option.