Anthony Edwards didn’t sugarcoat his assessment after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 128-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
“They outplayed us, outrebounded us, got more of the 50-50 balls, wanted it a little more,” Edwards said postgame, summarizing a night where Minnesota was pushed to the brink of elimination.
Held to just 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, Edwards was limited by Oklahoma City’s swarming defense, which resembled their schemes from Games 1 and 2.
“They went back to how they was playing Game 1 and 2—just in a gap, super, super heavy,” he explained. “Even though my guys was making shots, they still was in the press conference.”
Despite the Thunder’s tight coverage, Edwards felt he made the right decisions.
“I didn’t get enough shots to say I struggled,” he said. “I made the right play all night. My guys hit shots tonight, so big shout out to them.”
The Timberwolves turned the ball over 21 times and gave up 19 offensive rebounds, which Edwards pointed to as the deciding factors.
“They got 40 more possessions than us,” he said. “We lost by two. I’m not saying that’s good or bad, but we can take that and run with it.”
Oklahoma City’s physicality also affected ball security.
“You just can’t play with the ball around them,” Edwards said. “Everybody on the team is handsy. Like coach said, pick one way and go.”
He credited Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo for their performances, calling them “balling” after combining for 44 points and 10 threes off the bench.
When asked about the pressure to score more, Edwards rejected that notion.
“I put no burden on myself. Just try to win,” he said. “The only burden I put on myself is to try to win.”
The Timberwolves now trail the series 3-1 and face elimination in Game 5 at Paycom Center on Wednesday.
“We know what’s at stake,” Edwards said. “Got to come out and try to get a win.”
Game 5 will test Minnesota’s resolve against a Thunder team that is 7-1 at home this postseason and one victory away from its first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years.
