The Minnesota Timberwolves needed a big performance from Anthony Edwards on Monday night as they entered Game 4 of the Western Conference finals down 1-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Edwards, however, fell short, finishing with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, four rebounds, six assists and five turnovers in 41 minutes of action. It wasn’t exactly a horrendous performance from the three-time All-Star, but it was far from enough to save Minnesota from a deflating 128-126 loss against OKC.
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NBA fans were quick to criticize Edwards for his supposed lack of fight on Monday night. The Timberwolves star is now the subject of some backlash on social media following his pedestrian outing.
“Didn’t show up,” a comment on X read.
“2nd tier star,” said another.
“Carried by his role players 😔 accused a user.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with forward Anthony Edwards (1).
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
“cANT Man,” declared an NBA fan.
“I thought he was him, he’s just second coming of Westbrook,” another wrote.
“Sadly didn’t show up and now the series is over,” a reaction read.
Edwards got the chance to speak to reporters shortly after the final buzzer, and the 23-year-old had a defiant message when asked about his performance on the evening.
“I don’t look at it like I struggled or he struggled,” Edwards said. “They had a good game plan, making us get off the ball. Especially for me, man, it was super in the gaps.
“I made the right play all night, so I don’t really look at it like I struggled. I didn’t get enough shots to say I struggled, so that might be how you guys look at it. But, yeah, I didn’t struggle at all. It was just I made the right play.”
Edwards is adamant that he did not have a bad game against the Thunder. He credited his opponents for making him work in this one, but the young superstar maintains that he made the right decisions throughout the contest.
The silver lining here for Edwards and the Wolves is that the series is not over yet. Edwards will have the opportunity to redeem himself in Game 5 on Wednesday in what will be a must-win contest for Minnesota.
The Thunder, however, can send the Wolves home with a home win in Game 5, which will officially put an end to what would have been another disappointing campaign for Edwards and Co.
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