Anthony Edwards stays confident as Timberwolves face elimination

Still, Edwards kept the message simple.

“I don’t see nobody in our locker room that’s too worried,” he said, via ESPN. “There’s another basketball game. Come out, put your boots on and get ready to go to war.”

The night belonged to Victor Wembanyama. After avoiding a suspension for his Game 4 elbow that led to an ejection, he came out firing. He had 16 points in the first seven minutes and helped set the tone early.

“Some of the stuff Wemby was doing you don’t really have too much of an answer for,” Edwards said. “You just hope he misses.”

Minnesota hung around for a bit. Edwards scored 20 points, Jaden McDaniels knocked down three triples, and the Wolves briefly tied it in the third. Then it slipped away.

“We went away from what was working,” coach Chris Finch said. “Then our defense just cratered.”

Julius Randle’s struggles have not helped. He went 6-of-17 in Game 5 and is shooting under 37 percent for the series. McDaniels’ foul trouble has also been an issue, limiting his minutes in key stretches.

The Spurs did not make life easy on Edwards, either. San Antonio sent frequent double teams, holding him to 13 shot attempts after he had been far more aggressive in Minnesota.

Game 6 shifts back to Minneapolis with the season on the line. Edwards is dealing with sore knees and heavy minutes, but he welcomed the two-day break.

“I’m so happy,” he said. “I’m ready to get two days.”