In a game packed with playoff intensity and momentum swings, Anthony Edwards rose to the moment like only a rising superstar can. With the game on the line, the lights the brightest, and the crowd on the edge of their seats, Edwards took over — delivering a stunning fourth-quarter performance that sealed a crucial Game 3 win for the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
The Timberwolves’ 108-101 victory wasn’t just another playoff win. It was a defining moment for their young leader. Edwards, just 22 years old, showed the kind of poise, confidence, and killer instinct typically reserved for seasoned veterans. When everything slowed down in the final minutes, Ant was in complete control — and the Wolves rode his energy all the way to a 2-1 series lead.
Edwards finished the night with 36 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, but it was the how and when that told the real story. With Minnesota clinging to a two-point lead midway through the fourth, Edwards ignited a personal run that electrified the home crowd and left the opposing defense scrambling. Step-back threes. Explosive drives. Pull-ups in transition. You name it — Ant had it in his bag.
“I live for moments like that,” Edwards said postgame, drenched in sweat and still fired up from the win. “Crowd going crazy, close game, everything on the line — that’s when I lock in. That’s when I feel most alive.”
Head coach Chris Finch had nothing but praise for his young star, saying, “Ant’s maturity in crunch time was incredible. He knew when to attack, when to pass, and he wasn’t forcing things. He just let the game come to him — and then he took it.”
The Timberwolves as a whole played a solid game, but down the stretch, it was all about Edwards. He scored or assisted on 14 of Minnesota’s final 20 points, completely taking control of the offense while also locking in defensively. His effort on both ends of the court — guarding the other team’s best perimeter scorer while carrying the offensive load — showed just how much he’s grown as a two-way force.
Of course, he didn’t do it alone. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 20 points and 9 rebounds, and Mike Conley played the role of floor general, calmly guiding the team and knocking down a clutch three with just under two minutes to go. Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert provided tough defense and rebounding, but when it came down to crunch time, there was no question whose team it was.
The fans in Target Center could feel it too. Every time Edwards touched the ball late, the crowd rose in anticipation. And every time he delivered, the noise reached deafening levels. It was a reminder of just how electric this Wolves team can be when everything clicks — and when Ant is locked in.
This Game 3 win not only gave the Wolves the series edge but also gave Edwards another signature moment to add to his growing postseason résumé. He’s no longer just the promising young talent — he’s the guy. The closer. The engine. The face of a franchise that’s hungry to prove it belongs among the West’s elite.
As the series shifts to Game 4, Minnesota has the momentum and, more importantly, a star who’s showing he’s ready to lead. Edwards’ takeover in the final minutes wasn’t just a highlight reel — it was a statement.
Anthony Edwards didn’t just show up for Game 3. He owned it. And if he keeps this up, the Wolves could be howling deep into the postseason.
