Anthony Edwards addressed Minnesota’s late-game woes after the Timberwolves fell 119-115 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at Target Center, a loss that dropped the Western Conference contender to 32-21. The All-Star guard scored 35 points, including 23 in the first half, but acknowledged the momentum changed after halftime.
“No, I thought we were pretty good until the third quarter. Things started to shift in the third and fourth quarters,” Edwards said when asked if the offense affected the defense. The Timberwolves led 77-59 early in the third before New Orleans tightened the game with perimeter shooting and paint scoring.
When asked what changed during the collapse, Edwards pointed to execution and missed opportunities. “I have to go watch the movie. I can’t really remember what happened. I know I missed some takes that I should have done,” he said. “Trey Murphy hit about four threes, I think, in the third. The game changed a little bit.”
Minnesota managed just 45 points in the second half and struggled against New Orleans’ defensive adjustments. “I think they played like some, I don’t know what they were in. Yeah. I don’t know if it was two three or I don’t know what they played, but yeah, it was some weird defense,” Edwards said.
Zion Williamson’s dominance was another problem, as the forward scored 29 points on 11-for-13 shooting. “I think he’s a tough opponent for anybody. I mean, he’s just strong, athletic, fast, quick. Yeah, I mean, he’s just hard to stop,” Edwards said.
Foul trouble for Jaden McDaniels forced Minnesota to adjust its defensive rotations, something Edwards said impacted the entire group. “Changes everything. Yes. The whole team has changed,” he said.
Despite the frustration of letting another game slip away, the guard credited New Orleans for capitalizing late. “I don’t know. I mean, they won the game. Good job on the Pelicans,” Edwards said when asked if the team has struggled to maintain its lead this season.
The loss came amid a series of roster moves around the league, including Minnesota’s recent acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu, who Edwards believes will bolster the backcourt. “I think he can guard the ball really well compared to the last few times he had to guard me,” Edwards said. “It feels like he just knows how to play next-action basketball, and that’s something we need.”
He added that the guard’s defensive fundamentals could be valuable. “He’s super long. He’s not really like jumpy. He doesn’t really jump on moves or pump fakes and stuff. He stays down and makes you hit hard shots over him,” Edwards said.
Even as playoff positioning in the Western Conference became more stringent, Edwards emphasized the need to move forward quickly. “Yes. Yes, I mean sure. Yes, this one hurt, but we can’t dwell too much on it. Game over. There’s another game to come,” he said.
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