The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped back-to-back games in their NBA Playoffs Western Conference second round series against the Denver Nuggets at home. But Anthony Edwards made things interesting through a spicy exchange with Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.
In Game 4 on Sunday, the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves 115-107, which tied the series at 2-2 before heading back to Denver for Game 5. But before the game wound up, NBA on TNT Sports cameras caught the exchange between Edwards and Murray.
Anthony Edwards shares his side of exchange with Jamal Murray
Edwards left no mystery on the exchange, saying he loved “that” from the Nuggets, but did not elaborate on what it was.
“I just told his a** [that] we love that. Keep talkin’ that. That’s what we like, well I love it. He didn’t say nothin’ back, but I’m pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. We live for that,” Edwards said.
During the exchange, Edwards was walking towards the direction of Murray, who tried to reach and give a high five to Edwards. However, Edwards continued to mouth out choice words towards Murray’s direction and left Murray hanging.
Red-hot Edwards not enough to prevent defeat
Following the Game 3 loss, which he owned up to due to his lack of energy, Edwards came out smoking in Game 4 and put up a career playoffs-high of 44 points in the game on 64% shooting with five three-pointers. He also had five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a blocked shot in an all-around effort.
However, the Timberwolves failed to contain the twin tower combo of Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, who had 35 and 27 points, respectively, that paced the Nuggets victory. Both players had seven rebounds each, with Jokic and Gordon dishing out 13 of the 29 Nuggets assists in the ballgame.
While walking away from his briefing with beat reporters, Edwards scoffed at Aaron Gordon’s performance, seemingly unimpressed by his outing that complemented season MVP Jokic.
Tension-filled series about to hit peak at Denver home court
The series has already been tight with tension, with Jamal Murray incurring a $100,000 fine for throwing a heating pack on the floor during the Nuggets’ Game 2 loss at home, and head coach Michael Malone receiving sweet nothings from the hostile Timberwolves crowd at the Target Center in Game 3.
The latest incident involving Edwards and Murray seem to have only added kerosene to a roaring fire between both teams, but only time will tell whether Edwards can back up his words or if Murray will get the last laugh.
NBA on TNT Sports analyst Charles Barkley earlier warned that if the Timberwolves were to drop Game 4, they would be in danger of losing the series. Despite getting a big game from Edwards, the Timberwolves will have to go back to Denver and win one on the road to regain control of the series.
Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Timberwolves and Nuggets returns to Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, tipping off at 10:30 p.m. ET.
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