Anthony Edwards' big night helps Timberwolves stave off elimination
The Minnesota Timberwolves will survive to play another day.
Despite blowing a 12-point lead late and needing overtime to secure the win, the Timberwolves hung on for a 114-108 victory. Minnesota star Anthony Edwards stepped up when his team needed him most in this one.
With the Timberwolves up 109-108 in the final seconds, Edwards buried a clutch three-pointer, all but sealing the victory with 11.1 left in OT.
The Timberwolves built a 12-point lead with 2:50 remaining, but left the door open a smidge -- and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic barged right through it. Jokic scored or assisted on every basket of an ensuing 12-0 run by the Nuggets, forcing overtime. But Edwards and the Timberwolves refused to go quietly, outscoring the Nuggets 18-12 in the extra session.
Edwards finished with a team-high 34 points but did most of his damage during a critical third quarter, when he scored 16 points to help Minnesota gain a six-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Edwards recorded his fifth career 30-point game in the postseason on Sunday. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the budding star passed Kobe Bryant for the second-most 30-point playoff games by a player aged 21 or younger. Only LeBron James (8) has more.
The mountain is still tall for Edwards and Minnesota to climb, but the only way to accomplish something is with a first step.
Trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, the Timberwolves will look to stay alive for at least one more game when they travel back to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.
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