The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rough Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs, absorbing a 133-95 loss on Wednesday night. The Spurs’ win tied their Western Conference semifinals series as they head to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4.
After Game 2, Anthony Edwards got candid about the Timberwolves’ blowout loss, saying that the team got way too relaxed to start the game, which allowed the Spurs to get ahead early and never look back.
“We started the game too cool,” he said. “[The Spurs] came out physical, picking up full court, full of energy, and we expected that, but we just came out too flat today, I think that was the main thing.”
“I wouldn’t say that we were too comfortable; they were just the more desperate team, I think that’s the term.”
“On a commencé le match trop relax. Et eux (Spurs) ont joué physique, ils étaient plein d’énergie. Et que s’est-il passé ? On s’est fait laminer. On n’a pas joué avec un
The Timberwolves went down by as much as 47 points. The Spurs went into halftime with a 24-point lead.
Edwards felt that the Timberwolves came out with a bad shooting variance and never recovered from there, giving the Spurs cruise control to tie the series.
“We just didn’t make enough shots today coming out of it,” Edwards said. “I think we struggled to make shots tonight, so they were just content [doubling] doing it the entire night. So I feel like the more we make shots, the easier it is going to be for me.”
The Timberwolves shot 35-of-88 (40%) from the field throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Spurs shot 45-of-90 from the field (50%), including 16 made 3-pointers.
Edwards, in particular, struggled offensively, putting up just 12 points n 5-of-13 shooting, along with four turnovers. He played 24 minutes off the bench, one minute below his minutes restriction after recovering from a hyperextended knee he suffered in the first round.
Anthony Edwards Gets Honest on Minutes Restriction Against the Spurs
GettyAnthony Edwards has been in minutes restriction against the Spurs.
Anthony Edwards has yet to eclipse the 25-minute mark in the first two games of the West semifinals against the Spurs.
Edwards reflected on his minutes restriction after the Timberwolves’ Game 2 loss, leaving the decision about his minutes up to the coaching staff.
“That’s not up to me. If it’s required, whatever is required, I’m willing to do it,” said Edwards.
An increased role for Edwards would be beneficial for the Timberwolves as they look to take a commanding lead when the series shifts to Minnesota.
Without Edwards for most of the game, the team has been leaning on the shot creation of Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels, who have done enough to keep the Timberwolves afloat in non-Edwards minutes.
Minnesota Still Has Home Court Advantage This Series
GettyTimberwolves still have the home court advantage against the Spurs in the series.
Minnesota stole Game 1 on Tuesday via the clutch offense of Edwards, who scored 11 points in the final quarter. That win is an all-important one for the Timberwolves as they still have the home court advantage in the series.
Tied at 1-1, the Timberwolves will go to Minnesota with a bit of momentum for Games 3 and 4. The Timberwolves can replicate what they did in the first round, where they took care of business in their home court to take a commanding series lead.
Game 3 will be on Friday, May 8, in Minnesota.
Anthony Edwards Tells Honest Statement On Timberwolves’ Blowout Loss To Spurs