Anthony Edwards leads the way as Timberwolves win first game since Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury
Necessity is the mother of invention, or so the saying goes. The hope for Minnesota must be that an injury that sidelines one star inspires another.
That was what appeared to take place Wednesday night at Target Center, as in the Wolves’ first game without Karl-Anthony Towns — who will miss several weeks with a right calf strain — Anthony Edwards delivered what coach Chris Finch felt was one of the guard’s best all-around games.
There was no area in which Edwards did not dominate — from his game-long defense, energy and decision-making to his fourth-quarter offensive prowess. Edwards was, quite simply, excellent.
The 21-year-old was, fairly or not, expected to make another astronomical leap in Year 3 of his NBA career. Through 21 games, that had not really taken place. Yet the man who took the court in Wednesday’s 109-101 win over Memphis sure looked like a transcendent talent capable of hoisting a team upon his shoulders and carrying it to places it has not been before.
Edwards finished with 29 points — including 17 in a fourth quarter that featured an intensity that rivaled a playoff atmosphere — to go with five rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots.
Edwards went at Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks time and time again. The two got into a verbal shouting match late in the contest, but it was Edwards who got the last laugh via his strong play. A frustrated Brooks was ejected after he was called for a foul with 1 minute, 22 seconds to play.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant followed Brooks down the tunnel shortly thereafter.
Edwards made the technical free throws and the subsequent two at the line from the original foul to put Minnesota up 13 and ice the game as a home crowd that was mum to start the contest erupted into M-V-P chants. He ignites the arena in the same way he ignites the Timberwolves.
As Edwards goes, so, too, do the Timberwolves — Towns or not.
“When he plays with great energy, it pulsates through our guys. He makes big plays, he makes plays that can swing a game,” Finch said. “He’s always had a great sense of timing, and I thought tonight he did a good job of not settling and keeping the pressure on.”
The Timberwolves on Wednesday more closely resembled the team they were a year ago than they had previously this season. Minnesota was scrappy and gritty. They forced turnovers via a frenetic pace and a perimeter defensive pressure not often present this season.
And, as they did so often last season, the Timberwolves won the game as a result. They did so without four rotation players.
Rookie wing Wendell Moore Jr. — who hadn’t played rotational minutes yet this season — got the start and effectively limited Morant. That helped set the tone for a strong team defensive effort in which Memphis seemed out of control and flustered, like it did for much of last year’s playoff series. But in April Minnesota consistently managed to squander its advantages.
It didn’t do so Wednesday. Minnesota outplayed Memphis in the closing stretch, largely thanks to Edwards.
“He made the big plays, he made the little plays, he played all the way through the game,” Finch said. “He really imposed himself offensively and defensively, gave us great life.”
The challenge now is for Edwards to maintain this level of play. Towns won’t just miss one game or two, but many. As a result, Edwards will be asked to carry a larger load than ever before. He certainly appears to be built for it, so long as he is willing.
