After the Minnesota Timberwolves’ frustrating loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their playoff series, Anthony Edwards stood before the media, reflecting on yet another tough shooting performance from his team. Despite his own impressive individual showing, Edwards didn’t shy away from acknowledging his team’s struggle to get shots to fall in their last two games. It was a candid moment that underscored both his maturity as a leader and his understanding of the uphill battle Minnesota faced.
“I think we’re just rushing a little bit,” Edwards said, his frustration apparent but tempered with self-awareness. “We know we’re capable of knocking down shots. We’re a good shooting team, but right now, we’re forcing it. We’ve gotta settle down and play the game the right way. The Warriors are tough, but if we keep forcing bad shots, it’s gonna be a long series.”
It was clear Edwards was trying to balance the frustration of a 0-2 deficit with the hope of a turnaround. Minnesota had been shooting poorly for the past two games, and the numbers were hard to ignore: in Game 1 and Game 2, the Timberwolves shot just 38% from the field and 28% from three-point range. Despite a decent performance from Edwards himself—who contributed 26 points in Game 2—Minnesota was not clicking offensively. The Warriors, a team known for their defensive prowess, had clearly done their homework, closing out on shooters and making every open look a challenge.
“I gotta be better,” Edwards continued, reflecting on his own shooting struggles. “I missed some open ones tonight, and I know I can be more aggressive. We can’t afford to have games like this, especially in the playoffs. It’s about finding ways to attack and not getting discouraged when shots don’t fall.”
For Edwards, this moment was about more than just personal performance. As the young star of the Timberwolves, his growth as a leader was being tested. The team looked to him for direction, and in the heat of a playoff battle against the defending champions, it was clear the pressure was mounting. Edwards’ acknowledgment of the poor shooting was a sign of maturity, recognizing that sometimes the solution isn’t just about individual scoring but about resetting the team’s mindset.
“We’ve got to get back to playing the right way,” he said. “Too many times, we’re just rushing into shots. It’s hard to beat a team like Golden State when you’re not patient. They’re smart, they’re experienced, and they’re good defensively. We’ve got to be smarter.”
The Wolves’ shooting struggles had been a theme since their Game 1 loss, but they weren’t entirely unexpected. The Warriors, with their playoff-tested defense and disruptive schemes, have a way of making opponents uncomfortable. Whether it was Green’s ability to switch onto smaller players or the Warriors’ constant ball movement forcing defenders into tough positions, Golden State was forcing the Timberwolves to make decisions in the blink of an eye—decisions that weren’t always leading to clean looks.
Edwards’ comments were more than just a reflection of the poor shooting numbers; they were an admission of the need for adjustment. Minnesota needed to find better rhythm and smarter shot selection. It wasn’t about blaming the referees, or making excuses—it was about a young team understanding what it takes to contend with a championship-caliber squad.
The Timberwolves now faced an uphill battle. Down 0-2 in the series, they had to head to Golden State, where the Warriors have been nearly untouchable. But Edwards wasn’t giving up. “We’re gonna be alright,” he said with a confident smile. “We just gotta keep fighting. We’ll find a way to break through. It’s a long series, and we’re not going down easy.”
The loss was certainly tough, and Minnesota’s shooting numbers over the last two games were concerning. But if anything, Edwards’ comments after the game revealed the resolve of a young star ready to lead his team back into the fight. The Timberwolves may have shot poorly, but their belief in their potential remained intact.
