Anthony Edwards addressed Minnesota’s late-game struggles after the Timberwolves fell 119-115 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at Target Center, a loss that dropped the Western Conference contender to 32-21. The All-Star guard scored 35 points, including 23 in the first half, but acknowledged momentum shifted after halftime.
“No, I thought we was pretty good until third quarter. Third and fourth quarter things started shifting,” Edwards said when asked if offense affected the defense. The Timberwolves led 77-59 early in the third before New Orleans tightened the game with perimeter shooting and paint scoring.
When asked what changed during the collapse, Edwards pointed to execution and missed opportunities. “I got to go watch the film. I can’t really remember what happened. I know I missed some shots that I should have made,” he said. “Trey Murphy hit about four threes, I think, in the third. Kind of changed the game around.”
Minnesota managed only 45 second-half points and struggled against New Orleans’ defensive adjustments. “I think they played like some I don’t know what they was in. Yeah. I don’t know if it was like two three or I don’t know what the hell they was playing but yeah it was in some weird defense,” Edwards said.
Zion Williamson’s inside dominance was another issue, as the forward scored 29 points on 11-for-13 shooting. “I think he a tough matchup for everybody. I mean, he’s just strong, athletic, fast, quick. Yeah, I mean, he’s just he’s hard to stop,” Edwards said.
Foul trouble for Jaden McDaniels forced Minnesota to adjust its defensive rotations, something Edwards said impacted the entire group. “Changes everything. Yeah. Changed the whole team,” he said.
Despite the frustration of letting another game slip away, the guard credited New Orleans for capitalizing late. “I don’t know. I mean, they won the game. Good job by the Pelicans,” Edwards said when asked if the team has struggled protecting leads this season.
The defeat came during a stretch of roster changes around the league, including Minnesota’s recent acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu, whom Edwards believes will strengthen the backcourt. “I think he really can guard the ball really well from the previous times he had to guard me,” Edwards said. “Feel like he just know how to play next action next action basketball and that’s something that we need.”
He added that the guard’s defensive fundamentals could be valuable. “He’s super long. He’s not real like jumpy. He don’t really jump at moves or pump fakes and stuff. He stay down, make you make tough shots over him,” Edwards said.
Even with playoff positioning tightening in the Western Conference, Edwards emphasized moving forward quickly. “Yeah. Yeah, I mean, of course. Yeah, this one hurt, but we can’t dwell on it too bad. Game over. We got another game coming up,” he said.
