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We’re going all the way, ladies and gentlemen! After dropping three straight games and going on the brink of elimination, the Minnesota Timberwolves forced Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets. They did so in style: a 45-point thrashing of the defending champions to force a rubber match for a Western Conference Finals slot.
One might imagine that the Timberwolves’ morale would be low after a crushing defeat in Game 5 on the road. However, Anthony Edwards wasn’t fazed (not that he’s ever fazed) by the odds. There was a rumor that after Game 5, Edwards told a locker room attendant that they’d be back there after Game 6. After securing that winner-take-all game, Edwards confirmed that story. (video via ClutchPoints)
“Reporter: “Did you really tell the locker room staffer in Denver you were going to be back for Game 7?” Anthony Edwards’: “Hell yeah! They know. Y’all was in there. I told them, ‘I’ll see y’all motherf*ckers for Game 7.'”
”
Reporter: "Did you really tell the locker room staffer in Denver you were going to be back for Game 7?"
Anthony Edwards': "Hell yeah! They know. Y'all was in there. I told them, 'I'll see y'all motherf*ckers for Game 7.'"
pic.twitter.com/IR3SMjQKWN
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 17, 2024
Edwards did his best to try and will the Timberwolves to a win in the last few games. Most notably, Ant dropped 44 points in a losing effort in Game 4. Edwards’ output in Game 6 was more controlled (27 points on around 50% shooting, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals), but it was more than enough to secure the team.
Most importantly, it was the Timberwolves’ defense that held firm and secured the win for the team. For the second time in the series, the Nuggets were held to less than 90 points in a game. While Denver’s shot wasn’t falling in the game, Minnesota did their fair share of defense and then some to win the game. It was an incredible performance from the team, one that harkens back to their form in the regular season.
Anthony Edwards’ ascent to greatness
The biggest story of the 2024 Playoffs has been Anthony Edwards’ ascension to the top of the league. There were more than a few talking heads that were crowning the Timberwolves star as the new top shooting guard in the league. Many balked at the idea, saying that Ant needed to prove himself first in the playoffs before being crowned as one of the greats.
Well, Ant has more than proven himself as a suitable successor to the Best Shooting Guard title in the NBA. In the first round, Edwards dismantled another star shooting guard in Devin Booker en route to sweeping the Phoenix Suns. The first two games in the Nuggets series seemed to show that the Timberwolves star is ready to will his team to the playoffs.
However, the Nuggets were not about to go down without a fight. Denver punched back in the next three games of the season, taking a commanding 3-2 lead after Game 5 with a statement performance from Nikola Jokic. The momentum was fully in the Nuggets’ favor, and the Timberwolves were fully on the back foot.
Edwards and the Timberwolves were not about to give up their 2-0 lead that easily, though. A spirited effort on defense and an all-around offensive output from the team led them to a win. Now, they’re ready to finish the story and make it to the conference finals for the first time since 2004.
More must-reads:
- Suns fill out Mike Budenholzer's coaching staff
- Extending Mike Brown was a no-brainer for the Kings
- The 'Most three-pointers made in the playoffs' quiz
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