The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game 4 loss to the Denver Nuggets was tough, but Anthony Edwards remained defiant. Despite the 115-107 defeat, which tied the series 2-2, Edwards was unwavering in his confidence against the defending NBA champions.
As the clock wound down, Edwards exchanged words with Denver’s Jamal Murray, delivering a message that left no doubt about his mindset.
“I just told his a-- we love that,” Edwards said, referencing Murray’s trash talk. “‘Keep talking like that. That’s what we like.’ Well, I loved it. He didn’t say nothing back. But I’m pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. You live for that.”
Edwards’ performance on the court was just as impressive. He scored 44 points on 16-25 shooting from the field, 5-8 from three, and 7-8 from the foul line.
However, Edwards’ teammates struggled to find their rhythm, combining for a 40.4% field goal percentage, 30% from three, and 57.9% from the free throw line.
Murray, who scored 19 points, including a buzzer-beating three from 55 feet out to end the second quarter, acknowledged the challenge of containing Edwards.
“He’s downhill, he’s tough to guard, he’s explosive,” Murray said. “He’s always in attack mode, you know what I’m saying? So, I think we can just do a better job of just giving him some attention.”
As the series heads back to Denver, the Timberwolves face a crucial test. Edwards, however, remains unfazed, even when observers largely view the Nuggets as holding the momentum in the series after two consecutive road wins.
“I don’t think they got any momentum,” Edwards said. “We won two games. They won two games. At this point, it’s whoever wins two [more] games.
“I don’t know how people look at it, but I look at it like I’m happy. I’m ready. It’s competing at the highest level,” Edwards explained. “I’m smiling about it because I’m happy. I’m ready to go play. If we played tomorrow, I’d be ready. It’s going to be fun.”
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