Minnesota Timberwolves HC Addressed Edwards' 1st Half Performance
The Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t stop the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday as they suffered a 128-126 defeat in Game 4. Before the contest, the Wolves had a dominant performance in Game 3, where they had a 143-101 victory. Unfortunately for Minnesota, they couldn’t capitalize on that and had a difficult time playing against the top team in the Western Conference.
One of the more striking displays on the court was Anthony Edwards’ performance. The Timberwolves star had 16 points on 38.5 percent shooting from the field. Even more surprising is how he shot the basketball in the first half. The three-time All-Star had four points and only attempted two shots on the floor.
Though he tried to make up for it in the second half with his 12 points. However, it wasn’t enough to push them to beat the Thunder. Even his co-star, Julius Randle, struggled in Game 4. Randle had five points the entire game and shot a lowly 14.3 percent from the field.
After the game, Wolves head coach Chris Finch talked about Edwards’ performance. He commended the 6-foot-4 star’s showing in the final two quarters, where he was more aggressive.
“I thought in the second half he was more aggressive. He got downhill, we got him off the ball a little bit more. When he got to the paint, I thought he found people and made the right plays,” Finch said.
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However, Finch thought that Edwards “lagged behind” in the first half, and said he thinks they should’ve given him more screens.
“I think, first half, he lagged behind a little bit too much. We need to get in front so we could get to the floor and screen for him a bit, but second half was much better.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves are down in the series but still have the chance to extend it and force a Game 6 on Wednesday.
Mar 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch calls out a play agains the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Finch believes the Minnesota Timberwolves had a great defensive effort against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although the reigning MVP had 40 points, the head coach thinks the players did a good job slowing him down.
“13 for 30, obviously he went to 14 times which was to much but 13 for 30 was a pretty good defensive effort,” said Finch.
The Wolves couldn’t replicate what they did in Game 3, where they limited SGA to four free throws. The Thunder guard got to his safe spot and went to the free throw line 14 times and scored 12 points.
For Game 5, that will be one of the main focuses of the Minnesota Timberwolves to try and extend the series.
Minnesota Timberwolves HC Addressed Edwards' 1st Half Performance 3 May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images