“No wayyy! Come on ant! 🙏” wrote NFL star Patrick Mahomes during Game 4 of the Lakers-Timberwolves playoff series. He was just one amongst the thousands of fans who were in awe of Anthony Edwards as the 23-year-old helped his team’s win record go up to 3-1. After the Lakers had earlier lost by a 12-point margin, you would think that they would come into the game better prepared and with a new strategy in mind. They did so, but Anthony Edwards was quick to figure it out. Once he knew what LeBron James and Co.’s plan was, he let his teammates know, and all hope for LA was lost.

During the post-game presser, the 23-year-old was asked about his mindset in dealing with double-teams throughout the matchup. Edwards recalled huddling everybody up during a previous timeout. He told everybody, “Hey, this is what they doing on defense”. The player had realized, early on, that the Lakers were especially looking to put their players on him to limit his scoring. This created an opportunity, as spacing in a particular way allowed somebody to cut in, leaving some space to be wide open.

“They basically putting three people on me. Like, once I drive, they try to trap me. If I get around a trap, it’s the third guy coming up as a low man. So if you just equal out, and the dude, it’s three people on the left side, on the opposite weak side of the ball, and if the middle dude just cuts, then they got one person to guard two people,” Edwards revealed.

“So, that was pretty much what we did down the stretch, and Dante, that cut he made was big time, because I… we had just went over, and he cut, and he got the M1. So, that was pretty much it”.

As highlighted by NBA reporter Steve Aschburner, the Timberwolves’ shooting guard’s initial mentality was to “shoot it every time”. That seemed to be how things were going to go, as Anthony Edwards hit a pair of 3-pointers to start the Wolves’ scoring, and added a jumper another three minutes later. However, later, Edwards did not add another bucket for a while, except for 5 free throws down the stretch. Minnesota’s possessions began with the basketball in his hands, but would soon end up in the hands of others. Now, we know that it was all part of the strategy to distract the Lakers so that the Timberwolves would not fall behind in scoring.

Despite this, it is not as if Edwards did not score at all. The player delivered his best performance of the ongoing playoffs, scoring 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists over 44 minutes. He shot 12-23 (52.2%) field goals, 5-10 (50.0%) 3-pointers, and 14-17 (82.4%) free throws. Steve Aschburner also reported that, thanks to Edwards, the Wolves were able to create opportunities out of the defense. This led head coach Chris Finch to compare Edwards to a home run hitter, learning the value of doubles and singles in the right situations. Furthermore, the young star’s ability to not only score for himself but for the team also earned him the respect of the older players.

“He’s being really meticulous with what he’s doing late in the games. He’s taking his time really sizing up the defense, understanding where guys are going to be on the court. Taking what’s there and available,” said Mike Conley.

Edwards’ prowess has now allowed the Timberwolves to be just 1 win away from making the Conference Semi-Finals. The competition against the Lakers is not over yet. LeBron James and co are someone who can easily make a comeback. Therefore, there is one thing that Chris Finch needs now. It is for all the other players to follow the same prowess level as Edwards.

Chris Finch praises Anthony Edwards while praising others to “step up.”

Chris Finch was certainly on top of the world after the recent game. The warnings given out about facing the duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic were all for nothing. Finch’s team now holds a 3-1 advantage in the playoffs’ first round. However, the Timberwolves are not yet in the Conference Semifinals. Furthermore, the ultimate goal is not the second round, but the championship title. Therefore, instead of celebrating, the head coach wants his players to further increase their prowess.

During the post-game presser, a reporter highlighted how Ant didn’t force his game until the 4th quarter. That maturity was something Chris Finch appreciated, as he said, “Yeah, I think, you know, he’s growing leaps and bounds in that way, for sure”. The coach revealed feeling that there were moments where he felt Edwards and co could have found each other better. This was no fault of the 23-year-old, however.

“He had it going, and you could see in his eyes, uh, that, you know, he was going to make the play, he was going to bring us home. Um, but you know, early on, Julius was really good, and Ant was, you know, happy to play off of that” Finch added. “Um, but you know, we need some other guys to step up in the flow a little bit more consistently, um, for the next series, and the next game in this series, and beyond. So, um, you know, these guys will, uh, they’ll do so. Uh, I know that”.

Most of Minnesota’s season has gone into searching for a third reliable scorer. Someone whom Chris Finch can pencil in for 17 to 20 points to ease the pressure on Edwards and Julius Randle. Until that happens, the Timberwolves squad will have to make the best use of passes and looks to keep their offensive momentum maintained. Whether Finch’s request is seen as implemented in future games is something that remains to be seen.