The Minnesota Timberwolves did play better than they did in Game 1. Yet, it wasn’t nearly enough. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not only hoisted the MVP trophy but also led the Thunder to a 2-0 lead in the series. Moreover, he was also the root of the Timberwolves’ frustrations. SGA once again got to the charity stripe at will and cracked the Wolves’ patience. And it seems Anthony Edwards didn’t want to risk making any expensive statement.
Notably, post-game pressers have been costly for the Wolves’ cornerstone. At times, cursing or maybe calling out the officials, Edwards’ transparency has landed him in huge peril. “By the way, Ant up to $430,000 in fines this year,” as Brian Windhorst pointed out on Hoop Collective.
Tonight certainly seemed to be one where Anthony Edwards could have gone on a rant. However, skipping his duties may also cost him, as per Tim MacMahon. And the Hoop Collective crew sees only one way the eccentric star can avoid adding on to his near half-million fine tally for the season.
“You remember the whole Marshawn Lynch thing at the Super Bowl where he just said, I’m just here so I don’t get fined?” Windy prompted during their conversation. “Ant would have been better off doing that,” MacMahon said in response. Nonetheless, it won’t change what happened. And the crew’s guess is that Anthony Edwards wasn’t in the mood to speak to the media. After all, he had scored 32 points, reemerging after his spotty performance in Game 1. In spite of that, the Wolves lost by 15.
Jan 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Furthermore, the officials weren’t so kind to them either. The Timberwolves attempted 48 shots in the first half. Only once did they go to the free-throw line. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alone shot six free throws in the first half.
Anthony Edwards chose to hide his frustrations. But not all Timberwolves members could do so.
The Timberwolves might be cracking under OKC’s pressure
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has puzzled the Timberwolves’ defense, a strength of their playoff run thus far. Particularly, he got under the skin of Jaden McDaniels today. While guarded by him, he shot 5-7 and tested his resolve. That eventually cracked as he blatantly shoved SGA to the ground, picking up a flagrant foul.
Brian Windhorst, though, wasn’t surprised by his reaction. “I will say this, Jaden has been known to be a little emotional. You may recall that two years ago that he punched a wall and broke his hand,” he recalled.
And aside from him, Julius Randle wasn’t too pleased either.
He had his worst playoff game of this season, being held to just 6 points. Moreover, with the free-throw situation in the first half, it was tough not to sympathize with the Wolves. Tim MacMahon really felt the officials didn’t give them an equal whistle in comparison to OKC.
“I mean, he was, and look, he was frustrated. He was frustrated with the officiating. The Timberwolves had a free throw in the first half. A singular free throw in the first half. I didn’t think they got a good whistle in the first half. I’ll just be honest. I thought Ant should have been at the line at least a few times in the first half,” he said about the officiating.
In the end, the Timberwolves did win the free-throw matchup, forcing their way to the line in the second half. However, the Thunder responded with a fierce third-quarter run that blew them out of the water.
Likewise, the Timberwolves can utilize their feelings in the right way. The bottled-up aggression needs to be channelled in the next two games of the series being played in Minnesota. Winning their home games will allow for a reset. In order to do so, though, they can’t let their emotions get the better of them.
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