Edwards keys Timberwolves’ resounding response in Game 3 win

MINNEAPOLIS — As a lot because the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2-0 deficit within the Western Convention finals confirmed the hole between them and their opponent — the No. 1 seed Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder — it additionally was a referendum on every crew’s celebrity.

By way of two video games, the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 19 extra factors than the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards and had eight extra assists and 6 extra steals. Gilgeous-Alexander regarded each bit just like the league’s 26-year-old MVP, whereas Edwards seemed to be a 23-year-old phenom with room to develop.

In Saturday’s 143-101 Recreation 3 win during which the sixth-seeded Wolves introduced their arrival to the sequence in grand trend, Edwards not solely outplayed Gilgeous-Alexander. He outplayed your entire Thunder crew for a stretch.

Edwards single-handedly outscored Oklahoma Metropolis 16-14 within the first quarter en path to a game-high 30 factors in half-hour. He watched your entire fourth quarter from the bench, as Minnesota already had opened up a 37-point benefit.

“Just ultimate pressure on the ball and shoot it as much as I can,” Edwards stated of his strategy because the Wolves tried to keep away from falling behind 3-0 within the convention finals for the second straight yr.

Edwards was 6-for-8 from the sphere within the first quarter, and he completed 12-for-17 for the sport, together with 5-for-8 from 3-point vary, whereas including 9 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

The efficiency got here after he shot 4-for-17 on 3-pointers to begin the sequence.

“I feel like the second game I was in a rhythm, it was just my trey ball wasn’t falling,” stated Edwards, who led the league in 3-point makes within the common season with 320. “Just getting back in the gym, watching shots go in and just keep trusting it. That’s all.”

It was his fifteenth profession 30-point sport within the playoffs, the fifth most by a participant aged 23 or youthful, trailing solely LeBron James (21 video games), Kobe Bryant (17), Kevin Durant (17) and Luka Doncic (17).

“That’s what we need him to do, and when he does it, it takes us to another level,” Wolves coach Chris Finch stated. “I thought that’s what was really big in the first quarter. He got a couple of those steals. He was all over the place. He knew that we needed that type of start from our defense, and he brought it. It was really, really good.”

The Wolves adopted Edwards’ lead, and their 72-41 halftime cushion represented a franchise file for factors in a half of a playoff sport.

“He got some early ones easy, and with good players like that, you can’t let them get comfortable early or it looks like that,” stated Gilgeous-Alexander, who was held to 14 factors on 4-for-13 taking pictures whereas registering six assists and 4 turnovers.

The Wolves’ offensive outburst was fueled by a dynamic defensive effort. They held the Thunder to 40.7% taking pictures as a crew and gained the turnover battle, committing solely 10 to Oklahoma Metropolis’s 15.

The 42-point loss represented the most important in Thunder postseason historical past.

“Honestly, it just shows us, more than anything, of what we’re capable of doing,” stated Wolves guard Mike Conley, one in every of seven Minnesota gamers to hit two or extra 3s. “So, now we’ve set a standard for ourselves, like, why aren’t we playing with this type of effort every night? So, if we don’t do it the next game, that’s on us. It has nothing to do with them.”

Minnesota will host Recreation 4 on Monday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) again on the Goal Middle, the place the Wolves have gone 5-1 this postseason.

Earlier than leaving the locker room on the finish of the night time, Edwards was requested if it feels just like the sequence has modified.

“No,” Edwards stated. “We’re still down. It’s just one win. Can’t get too high on it. Don’t get too low. Just got to try to win another one, man. This team, they’re the best team in the NBA.

“So, we acquired to have the ability to beat this crew a couple of time, and it is going to be powerful.”