Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards addressed his team’s defensive lapses after Wednesday’s 153-128 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome.
“Just from the start tonight that was lacking,” Edwards said. “I had a lot of bad turnovers in the first quarter. Cost them to get out to a fast break and a good start. So I got to be better in the first.”
Edwards also highlighted defensive shortcomings. “Just has to be better defensively. I just got to be better, whoever I’m guarding, trying to set the tone and start the game.”
He assumed personal accountability for the Timberwolves’ three-game losing streak. “Everything is about me,” Edwards said. “I got to find a way to get us out of it. So yeah, it’s all my fault.”
Despite the blowout, Edwards remained focused on solutions. “Just find a way to win one of these games,” he said. “Over the course of an NBA season, there’s a lot of ups and downs, bumps in the road. It’s a bump in the road, but we’ll be all right. I’m going to find us a way. We’ll figure it out.”
Edwards acknowledged the challenge posed by Kawhi Leonard, who scored 45 points for the Clippers. “Kawhi may be one of the best players to ever play the game when he’s healthy. Ain’t no stopping Kawhi,” he said.
He reflected on the Timberwolves’ effort in trying to contain Leonard. “We was just a step slow on everything. He seems to make things awfully easy right now,” Edwards said.
Edwards emphasized leadership through action rather than words. “I just got to show it on the court. I didn’t talk. Just got to show it on the court. You know how good this team is.”
The Timberwolves remain sixth in the Western Conference at 40-26, just half a game behind the third-place Los Angeles Lakers. Edwards remains focused on the next two games. “It’s three games. We got two more games, Golden State and OKC. Try to win these two,” he said.
He promised improvement after consecutive losses. “Last three games, I put it on myself, so I’ll be better,” Edwards said.
Edwards led Minnesota with 36 points, while Naz Reid contributed 18 off the bench. The Timberwolves continue their four-game road trip on Friday against the Golden State Warriors, seeking to halt the skid.
