Monica McNutt and Brian Windhorst consider Anthony Edwards is on his option to changing into the face of the NBA. (1:23)
The Minnesota Timberwolves eradicated the Denver Nuggets on Sunday evening with a 98-90 win in Recreation 7 on the street.
Minnesota was down by 15 factors on the half, marking the biggest halftime deficit overcome to win a Recreation 7. The Timberwolves trailed by as many as 20 factors, making it the biggest Recreation 7 comeback win previously 25 seasons. The 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 on 6-of-24 taking pictures from the sphere, tied for his worst taking pictures sport 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 have a look at Minnesota’s Recreation 7 triumph by means of Edwards’ memorable moments.
Though he struggled to attain, Edwards’ confidence by no means wavered. As Minnesota reduce the deficit to 3 factors with 1:33 remaining within the third quarter, cameras caught Edwards foreshadowing a turnaround.
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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 sport. He additionally prolonged the Timberwolves’ result in 10 with 3:05 remaining within the sport by hitting a 3-pointer, celebrating with a fan and finishing his turnaround.
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 all the sport. Murray had 24 factors within the first half and completed with 35.
Up eight factors with 1:17 minutes left within the sport, Edwards pointed on the “Wolves” throughout his chest and shared a second with Jaden McDaniels. Edwards stated McDaniels, who had a team-high 23 factors, deserved the sport ball.
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His help for the Minnesota ahead is not new. In 2023, when requested in regards to the Phoenix Suns‘ acquisition of Kevin Durant, Edwards said: “They received KD, however we received Jaden McDaniels,” indicating McDaniels would have the ability to defend him.
The 22-year-old guard is rarely shy on or off the courtroom.
The Nuggets missed a chance to chop the deficit to 4 with 33.4 seconds remaining within the sport, resulting in a rebound by Karl-Anthony Towns. Feeling that the win had been secured, Edwards introduced the ball up the courtroom and commenced waving goodbye to Nuggets followers on the defending champions’ residence courtroom.
Anthony Edwards dribbles throughout half courtroom within the ultimate minute and waves goodbye to the Nuggets followers.
Edwards joined the TNT crew for an interview postgame and immediately had a memorable quote.
Charles Barkley stated he hadn’t been to Minnesota in 20 years and needed to ask Edwards for restaurant suggestions within the metropolis. However earlier than he may, the guard had a easy response.
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Edwards ended up complying and agreed to ship Barkley restaurant suggestions within the metropolis.
In his 9 seasons with Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Cities has seen successful and dropping sides of the NBA. He reached the playoffs solely as soon as in his first six seasons. He additionally endured 5 dropping seasons, together with going 19-45 within the 2019-20 yr, resulting in the No. 1 decide and collection of Edwards.
When requested about his feelings as he soaked within the second of advancing to the following spherical, Cities started to replicate on all the things he had been by means of. However Edwards playfully dismissed the struggles in Cities’ previous 9 years, as an alternative specializing in the current.
Ant 😅 pic.twitter.com/vE4bRvLLqr
Cities replied with “Man, f— ’em, proper” and Edwards adopted up with: “This yr.”
The Timberwolves are one spherical away from making historical past this season — a win in opposition to 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.