Anthony Edwards spoke candidly about the Minnesota Timberwolves’ mindset ahead of the Western Conference Finals, emphasizing the team’s defensive identity, preparation, and team chemistry during media availability.
Before the Timberwolves learned they would face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the upcoming series, Edwards stressed the importance of live reps to stay sharp during the extended break.
“Getting good reps in. Live reps. I think that’s the only way — getting up and down — so we’ll be ready for Game 1,” he said.
After eliminating the Lakers and Warriors in five games each, Minnesota now enters its second straight conference finals, but Edwards said last year’s experience doesn’t offer much advantage.
“It’s no benefits of going through it last year. Just trying to be more prepared this year and not come out sluggish,” Edwards stated.
The 23-year-old guard highlighted the physical presence of Julius Randle, crediting him for stabilizing the defense by switching aggressively and keeping opponents out of rotation.
“He may touch ’em a little bit, push a little bit, but it’s the playoffs so they let us get away with it. It’s been really good for us,” Edwards said.
Although widely viewed as the face of the franchise, Edwards declined to call himself the team’s leader.
“I just view myself as a basketball player, and I just act how I like myself,” he noted.
Edwards praised head coach Chris Finch for his balanced approach, explaining that as long as players commit on defense, they’re granted offensive freedom.
“As long as we get stops, it don’t really matter what shots we get,” he explained.
Minnesota’s top-ranked defense from the previous year has remained elite in the postseason, and Edwards said the focus now is tightening ball pressure and defensive gaps.
He also discussed the depth of the Timberwolves’ rotation, pointing out how multiple players can generate offense without relying solely on him or Randle.
“We got eight guys that can go out there and create shots for everybody else on the floor,” Edwards said.
On team dynamics, Edwards described how he keeps the locker room light without trying, attributing it to his natural demeanor.
“That’s just who I am,” he said.
Despite his rising popularity, Edwards said he doesn’t use social media and only feels fan energy during games at Target Center.
“I don’t really see too much,” he added.
The Timberwolves will open the Western Conference Finals on the road against Oklahoma City, the NBA’s best regular-season team.
Tipoff for Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Paycom Center.
