The Minnesota Timberwolves eradicated the Denver Nuggets Sunday evening with a 98-90 win in Sport 7 on the street.
Minnesota was down by 15 factors on the half, marking the biggest halftime deficit overcome to win a Sport 7. The Timberwolves trailed by as many as 20 factors within the recreation, making it the biggest Sport 7 comeback win within the final 25 seasons. The Wolves’ comeback started with a 28-9 run to finish the third quarter, coinciding with 9 factors within the body from Anthony Edwards.
Minnesota’s star guard scored simply 4 factors within the first half. He completed with 16 factors on 6-of-24 taking pictures from the sphere, tied for his worst taking pictures recreation, percentage-wise, of the postseason. However, he grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists, each collection highs.
Edwards got here alive when it mattered most and helped the Timberwolves attain the Western Convention finals for the primary time since 2004.
This is a take a look at Minnesota’s Sport 7 triumph by means of Edwards’ memorable moments.
“I am finna get in my bag”
Although he struggled to attain, Edwards’ confidence by no means wavered. As Minnesota reduce the deficit to a few factors with 1:33 remaining within the third quarter, cameras caught Edwards foreshadowing a turnaround.
He completed the quarter by choosing off Nuggets guard Jamal Murray for a steal resulting in a dunk. Then, Edwards swished a 3-pointer to make it a one-point recreation. He additionally prolonged the Timberwolves’ result in 10 with 3:05 remaining within the recreation by hitting a 3-pointer, celebrating with a fan and finishing his turnaround.
Taking within the second
That late third quarter momentum carried over instantly because the Timberwolves took the lead 12 seconds into the fourth. Although Edwards could not discover the basket, he made an affect in different areas.
As the first defender on Murray, he held the Nuggets star to 2-for-6 taking pictures within the second half, 2-for-8 in the complete recreation. Murray had 24 factors within the first half, however completed with 35.
Up eight factors with 1:17 minutes left within the recreation, Edwards pointed on the “Wolves” throughout his chest and shared a second with Jaden McDaniels. Edwards stated that McDaniels, who had a team-high 23 factors, deserved the sport ball.
His help for the Minnesota ahead is not new. In 2023, when requested concerning the Phoenix Suns’ acquisition of Kevin Durant, Edwards stated: “They obtained KD, however we obtained Jaden McDaniels,” indicating McDaniels would be capable of defend him.
Waving goodbye to followers
The 22-year-old guard is rarely shy on or off the courtroom.
The Nuggets missed a possibility to chop the deficit to 4 with 33.4 seconds remaining within the recreation, resulting in a rebound by Karl-Anthony Cities. Feeling that the win had been secured, Edwards introduced the ball up the courtroom and started waving goodbye to Nuggets followers on the defending champions’ residence courtroom.
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Ant Edwards waves bye to Nuggets followers in closing moments
Anthony Edwards dribbles throughout half courtroom within the ultimate minute and waves goodbye to the Nuggets followers.
Minnesota suggestions for Barkley
Edwards joined the TNT crew for an interview postgame and immediately had a memorable quote.
Charles Barkley expressed he hadn’t been to Minnesota in 20 years and wished to ask Edwards for restaurant suggestions within the metropolis. However earlier than he may, the guard had a easy response.
Edwards ended up complying and agreed to ship Barkley restaurant suggestions within the metropolis.
Targeted on this 12 months with Cities
In his 9 seasons with Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Cities has seen profitable and shedding sides of the NBA. He reached the playoffs solely as soon as in his first six seasons. He additionally endured 5 shedding seasons, together with going 19-45 within the 2019-20 12 months, resulting in the No. 1 choose and number of Edwards.
When requested about his feelings as he soaked within the second of advancing to the following spherical, Cities started to replicate on every part he had been by means of. However, Edwards playfully dismissed the struggles in Cities’ previous 9 years, as a substitute specializing in the current.
Ant 😅 pic.twitter.com/vE4bRvLLqr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) Might 20, 2024
Cities replied with “Man, f— ’em, proper” and Edwards adopted up with: “This 12 months.”
The Timberwolves are one spherical away from making historical past this season — a win towards the Dallas Mavericks would mark the primary time in franchise historical past Minnesota has reached the NBA Finals.
ESPN Stats & Data contributed to this story.
