Key Takeaways:
– Minnesota Timberwolves’ star, Anthony Edwards, ended his Game 7 performance with a memorable line about containing Nuggets’ Jamal Murray.
– The Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 98-90 in the decisive Western Conference second-round Game 7.
– Despite struggling with his shooting, Edwards rallied his team on the defensive front, stunning the audience and scoring several key plays.
– Edwards’ spectacular defensive performance further consolidated his rising stardom in these playoffs.
– Minnesota Timberwolves will host Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Dallas Mavericks on May 22.
Anthony Edwards’ Defensive Brilliance in Game 7
Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star, Anthony Edwards has certainly made a name for himself during the recent NBA playoffs, not just for his brilliant gameplay but for his memorable post-game comments. After the Timberwolves’ decisive 98-90 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference second-round series, Edwards proudly told reporters, “I had Jamal in handcuffs.”
Edwards’ Clutch Plays Steer Wolves to Victory
Edwards, who has been steadily growing into superstardom, showcased his mammoth personality and love for the sport with every interview. Following their Game 6 defeat, the 22-year-old confidently told the Nuggets’ locker room staff he’d be returning to Denver for Game 7 – a promise he clearly kept.
The young star certainly introduced himself to a broader audience during the playoffs. Despite some struggles with his shooting accuracy in Game 7, Edwards’ defensive prowess was plain to see. His standout performance came when he was assigned the enormous task of containing Jamal Murray, a frequent top-scorer in postseason games.
Looking back, Edwards was successful in this undertaking. Although Murray started the game strong, Edwards was able to deliver a game-changing defense in the second half. By playing lockdown defense on Murray, Edwards significantly impacted the Nuggets’ momentum. Even with Murray finishing the game with a commendable 35 points, Edwards’ defense held him to 13-for-27 from the field and 4-for-12 from the three-point line.
Edwards’ defense not only contained Murray but also led to some crucial plays, including stealing the ball from Murray midcourt, which resulted in a layup and step-back three-pointer, getting the Wolves within a point of the Nuggets at the end of the third quarter.
Wolves’ Group Effort Results in Win
While Edwards anchored the defense, other Timberwolves’ players stood out in securing their Game 7 victory. The 22-year-old praised his teammates for their crucial contributions despite his struggles with finding his rhythm and shooting accuracy on the night.
“It was tough because I couldn’t find myself or my rhythm tonight. So I just had to trust my teammates…I just had to make the right plays throughout the rest of the game. I did that, and my teammates made shots. Big shout-out to those guys,” Edwards said in the Game 7 post-game press conference.
Indeed, the teamwork was evident, with excellent performances from Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid. Towns and McDaniels each scored 23 points, while Reid, this year’s Sixth Man of the Year winner, added another 11 points.
Looking Ahead
Following their thrilling victory, the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Dallas Mavericks for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, hoping to sustain the momentum and success of their previous win.