Anthony Edwards addressed the media Monday night after the Minnesota Timberwolves took a 3–1 series lead over Golden State, emphasizing that his mindset remains locked in despite the playoff momentum.
Edwards said head coach Chris Finch challenged the team at halftime, warning they were playing like they had already clinched the series.
“I didn’t like how we was playing overall,” Edwards said. “I didn’t like how I was playing individually, so I knew I had to pick it up.”
The fifth-year guard responded with 30 points, including six three-pointers, and sparked a 17–0 third-quarter run that turned a deficit into a double-digit lead.
Asked what changed after halftime, Edwards pointed to defensive lapses, particularly allowing Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green to dictate pace and rebounding.
“You can’t let those things happen,” he said. “If you want to beat a championship team, and if you want to go to the Finals — or West Conference Finals at least — you got to be better.”
Edwards also revealed that his buzzer-beating three before halftime helped fuel his second-half surge, calling it “a nice shot” that got him going.
He confirmed he was vocal during halftime and made it clear to his teammates that the series wasn’t over.
“I told them we only got two wins. I’ve never seen a series end 2–1,” Edwards said. “We were playing like they going to lay down. And knowing this team, knowing their head coach, they’re never going to lay down.”
The All-Star described the satisfaction of silencing a road crowd during a scoring run as “the best satisfaction ever.”
On his on-court chemistry with Julius Randle, who finished with 31 points, Edwards noted it has improved since the forward’s return from injury.
“When he came back from injury, it was just like — I don’t — it was like a whole different person,” Edwards said.
He also praised teammate Jaden McDaniels for recognizing the right moments to involve him in offensive actions.
“Big shout out to Jaden,” he said. “I tell him, ‘Come right back to me and trust me.’”
Despite his individual performance, Edwards again shifted credit to teammates and assistant coach Chris Hines, who he said provides critical film breakdowns between quarters.
“He gets on me when I’m messing up, and he never gives me too much credit,” Edwards said. “So I appreciate him for sure.”
When asked about pregame banter with Stephen Curry and a moment with Gary Payton, Edwards made clear his respect for both players.
“I told [Curry] I learned that from you this summer,” Edwards said after hitting a deep three. “And I told [Payton], I’m a big fan.”
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Minneapolis.
