Anthony Edwards unwavered by Game 1 loss to Thunder

Published: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 3:52 pm

Edwards Remains Confident Despite Timberwolves' Game 1 Rout by Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a resounding victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, but Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards isn't letting the 26-point loss shake his confidence. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Edwards is focused on adjustments, particularly increasing his offensive aggression.

Edwards, who scored 18 points on just 13 shots in the opening game, acknowledged the need to be more assertive. He plans to watch film and strategize ways to get more shots up, suggesting he'll need to play off-ball more to avoid the Thunder's defensive strategy of doubling him. He noted the Thunder's tactic of clogging the paint, forcing the Timberwolves to rely on outside shots.

Comparing his performance to previous rounds, Edwards averaged 26.8 points and 6.2 assists against the Lakers and 26.2 points and 5.6 assists against the Golden State Warriors, both while taking over 20 shots per game. In contrast, his shot attempts were significantly lower in Game 1 against the Thunder. The Timberwolves struggled from beyond the arc, shooting a disappointing 15-for-51 from three-point range. Teammate Donte DiVincenzo emphasized the importance of making shots to open up the offense for Edwards. Edwards also briefly left the game after tweaking his ankle, but stated that it did not affect his performance.

BNN's Perspective: While the loss is a setback, Edwards' unwavering confidence and willingness to adapt are encouraging signs for Timberwolves fans. The team's reliance on outside shooting, however, is a concern. If they can't find a way to penetrate the Thunder's defense and improve their shooting percentage, they'll face an uphill battle in this series.

Keywords: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves, Thunder, NBA Playoffs, Western Conference Finals, Game 1, Basketball, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Shot Attempts, Offensive Strategy, Three-Point Shooting, Donte DiVincenzo, Injury, Ankle, ESPN, Dave McMenamin.

Full Story