T’Wolves eliminated, Edwards admits: “Spurs were better”

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards are heading home after a brutal Game 6 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. It was another familiar collapse for Minnesota: their third straight elimination in a win-or-go-home game, all ending in heavy defeats.

• 2024 vs. Dallas Mavericks
• 2025 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
• 2026 vs. Spurs

Edwards and Minnesota’s rough night

Minnesota’s numbers told the story of a team that never found its rhythm: the starters combined to shoot just 18-for-59 from the field, a clear sign of a group that struggled badly when the pressure peaked.

Injuries also played a major role. Edwards battled through the entire series after suffering a knee injury in the first round, while the absence of Donte DiVincenzo removed an important offensive weapon, especially against San Antonio’s aggressive defenses and constant traps.

Edwards admitted as much after the game:

A guy like Donte would’ve helped us a lot, especially spacing the floor

Anthony Edwards

The gesture that sparked debate

Late in the fourth quarter, with the game essentially over, Edwards made a gesture that caught plenty of attention: he walked over to the Spurs bench to shake hands and congratulate the opposition with roughly eight minutes still left on the clock.

He later explained his reasoning:

I respect them, they’re the better team. At that point you’re not coming back, so it’s only right to acknowledge that

Anthony Edwards

The moment quickly divided opinions, especially because the game was technically still ongoing.

Former NBA player Udonis Haslem was among those who criticized Edwards’ decision:

As a leader, I wouldn’t have gone over there shaking hands with eight minutes left

Udonis Haslem

Now comes a critical offseason for Minnesota

With the playoff exit official, attention now shifts entirely toward the future. Minnesota must figure out whether this core can truly compete in an increasingly brutal Western Conference filled with stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic, while several young teams continue to rise.

After the game, Edwards balanced confidence in the roster with an honest acknowledgment of its flaws.

On one hand:

We’re a good group

Anthony Edwards

On the other, a much heavier admission:

We didn’t build enough playoff habits during the regular season

Anthony Edwards

And when asked what the team needs to take the next step, his answer was direct:

I don’t know. I don’t think that’s a question for me

Anthony Edwards

Head coach Chris Finch summed up Minnesota’s situation in a single sentence:

Either you’re a team that creates problems for other teams, or you have to have answers for what they do

Chris Finch

Right now, Minnesota still seems stuck somewhere in between – without a clear identity and without a definitive direction forward.