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[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Timberwolves Coach Calls Out Anthony Edwards After Game 1

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards didn’t play well for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, and his coach knows it.

Speaking to ESPN after the Timberwolves were taken down by the Golden State Warriors, Chris Finch got honest about Edwards’ performance.

“What is there to talk about? You’re the leader of the team,” Finch said. “You’ve got to come out and set the tone. If your shot is not going, you still have to carry the energy. If I’ve got to talk to guys about having the right energy coming into an opening second-round game, then we’re not on the same page.”

Finch feels that even though he’s the coach, it’s not his job to inspire Edwards to lead the team.

This should be something he does naturally at this point in his career.

Edwards got off to a really rocky start on Tuesday, missing his first 10 shots before hitting a basket.

In the end, he had 23 points and went 9-of-23 from the floor, including 1-of-5 from the three-point line.

Of course, this loss wasn’t all because of Edwards.

Julius Randle, Mike Conley, and Donte DiVincenzo all had bad nights as well.

But to Finch’s point, Edwards is the team’s leader, and the rest of the squad will follow him.

The good news here is that this is only one game, and the T-Wolves can absolutely bounce back, especially since Game 2 will also be in Minnesota

Plus, Edwards is the sort of player who gets fired up when people discount him, and he will be ready to prove himself.

This game could be a turning point for Edwards, and he might explode in Game 2.

But if he doesn’t, it won’t be only Finch who will call on Edwards to improve his game as soon as possible.

The post Timberwolves Coach Calls Out Anthony Edwards After Game 1 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/timberwolves-coach-calls-out-anthony-edwards-after-game-1/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Rudy Gobert Gets Honest About Warriors’ Approach In Game 1

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors lost Stephen Curry during Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, but Rudy Gobert feels it didn’t affect them much.

Following his team’s disappointing and surprising loss to Golden State, Gobert opened up to ESPN about what he noticed.

“I didn’t see any change in their approach,” Minnesota center Rudy Gobert said. “Obviously, Steph is Steph, but they were playing like their life depended on it since the beginning of the game and I didn’t feel that for us early on.”

This is a big problem for the Timberwolves and a huge testament to the will of the Warriors.

Golden State have been fighting hard for the last few months, clawing their way into playoff contention after being counted out by many NBA fans.

They are also coming off a hard-fought series against the Houston Rockets, which has only improved their confidence.

This is a team that has looked totally different since adding Jimmy Butler in February, and they feel they are capable of anything, even if Curry is out with an injury.

Gobert didn’t like what he saw from his team, who weren’t acting like a squad trying to fight for their lives.

Will that change in Game 2 and beyond, especially if Curry is out with a hamstring injury?

The Timberwolves desperately wanted to take Game 1, and now they are on their heels after a surprising loss.

But they have time to recover, change their approach, and look much better in a few days.

Even when they lost their greatest star, the Warriors kept playing well, Gobert said.

Will his own team learn from that and adjust?

The post Rudy Gobert Gets Honest About Warriors’ Approach In Game 1 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/rudy-gobert-gets-honest-about-warriors-approach-in-game-1/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Gets Honest About His Injury Scare On Thursday

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

For a brief moment on Thursday, it looked like the Minnesota Timberwolves were going to lose Anthony Edwards.

Edwards was already nursing a hurt left ankle after an injury during the opening round against the Los Angeles Lakers.

But things got worse during Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, and he limped off the court, leaving all fans scared about what would happen next.

He eventually came back and played even better than before.

Following the 117-93 win over the Warriors, Edwards spoke with ESPN about his ankle.

“That one was crazy,” Edwards said of his sprain. “But I’ll be all right.”

This is exactly what T-Wolves fans wanted to hear.

They were terrified that he would miss all of the game after tweaking his ankle against Golden State’s Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Edwards remained on the floor as the game went on, and it was clear that he was suffering.

During a timeout, he hobbled to his feet and limped to the locker room.

That could have been the end of the game for Minnesota, but they were able to hold onto their lead.

Then, Edwards came back and scored the majority of his points, proving that he was doing just fine and there was nothing to worry about.

But injuries are never cut-and-dry, and some fans were still concerned that this would cause him trouble in the days ahead.

Was there a chance of him missing Game 3 because of the ankle tweak?

He said no one should be concerned about it and that all is well with his body.

That means hopes are still high for the Timberwolves.

They were afraid, but only briefly, and now they can start to get excited about Game 3 and beyond.

The post Anthony Edwards Gets Honest About His Injury Scare On Thursday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-gets-honest-about-his-injury-scare-on-thursday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Julius Randle Had High Praise For Anthony Edwards’ Resiliency

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

For some reason, Anthony Edwards actually played better for his Minnesota Timberwolves after an injury on Thursday night.

Edwards had to leave the court midway through the second quarter of Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors.

But he came back looking better than ever, a true sign of his resilience and strength.

Following the game, Julius Randle talked about Edwards and what he is capable of.

“He’s one of the more resilient people that I know,” Randle told ESPN. “Nothing holds him down. He never misses games. For as much attention and effort teams do to try to stop him, he’s never one to sit out a game. … I don’t know, he’s like Ironman. I’ve seen him get hit, get knocked down so many times. Better off, he’s like Wolverine. He gets hurt and he does something in the back. I don’t know what the hell he does … but he comes out and he balls. That’s what he does.”

Comparing him to a Wolverine makes sense because Edwards can be downright ferocious and unstoppable on the court.

His ankle was already questionable because of an injury he suffered during his team’s opening round against the Los Angeles Lakers.

So when he hurt it again on Thursday, people feared the worst.

They thought he was going to miss the rest of the game, or beyond, when he limped to the locker room.

Instead, Edwards spent time getting treated and then came back.

He then scored 13 of his 20 points on 4-of-6 shooting after halftime.

Edwards clearly wanted to win, and he wasn’t going to let a nagging injury get in his way.

Now, everyone is wondering how he will look for Game 3.

Will this injury subside completely, or will he struggle and not be at 100 percent?

The post Julius Randle Had High Praise For Anthony Edwards’ Resiliency appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/julius-randle-had-high-praise-for-anthony-edwards-resiliency/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Rudy Gobert Says He Wants To Win For 1 Timberwolves Veteran

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are moving on to the Western Conference Finals after taking down a Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors.

It’s now time for them to prove they have what it takes to conquer either the Denver Nuggets or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rudy Gobert wants to win for several reasons, including because it’ll be a way to celebrate his teammate and friend, Mike Conley.

“We’ve been through a lot, me and [Mike Conley],” Gobert said, via NBA on X. “I love him. More than anything, I want to win for him. I just know how much he cares about winning. How great of a guy he is.”

"More than anything I want to win for [Mike Conley]… the best vet you can ask for"

– Rudy and Ant after the @Timberwolves reached the WCF tonight

pic.twitter.com/4okUcsBhc5

— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2025

Gobert and Conley have been together for a long time, having met during their days together with the Utah Jazz.

But this year could be the one when they finally reach their true potential as co-stars.

The Jazz consistently came up short, especially in the postseason, which is one of the reasons why Gobert was traded in the blockbuster move that shook up the Timberwolves.

Gobert and Conley are now playing for a squad with more speed, more youth, and more aggression on both offense and defense.

In other words, they have a better shot at earning a title.

Conley has been in the NBA for 17 seasons, so retirement is definitely drawing closer.

That means he only has a few more chances of getting a ring before he steps away from the game for good.

Therefore, Gobert will fight even harder and play even tougher in order to help his friend reach the ultimate NBA goal.

The post Rudy Gobert Says He Wants To Win For 1 Timberwolves Veteran appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/rudy-gobert-says-he-wants-to-win-for-1-timberwolves-veteran/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Kendrick Perkins Says 1 NBA Playoff Team Is In Trouble

(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder proved again why they are the favorites to win the NBA championship this season.

They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves by 26 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

That’s why ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins doesn’t see the series lasting long.

The former NBA champion said the Thunder didn’t even play their best basketball, which is why the Timberwolves won’t be able to win more than one game in the series.

“This series is not going past six games. … Minnesota might get one,” Perkins said on “Get Up.”

.@KendrickPerkins believes the Timberwolves are in trouble

"This series is not going past six games. … Minnesota might get one." pic.twitter.com/7n3YIV077i

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 21, 2025

This kind of overreaction is common after a blowout, and no team is as bad as it looks in its worst loss.

Then again, the Thunder can be dominant when they’re at their best.

They’ve won their past two games by a combined 58 points, and they’ve had multiple big wins throughout the course of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

They have the kind of team that will beat you by 50 points if they can.

The Timberwolves likely will be better going forward, not only because it’s hard to see them playing any worse than they did in Game 1, but also because they’re a strong and resilient team.

They will need some sort of production from Rudy Gobert, who can’t be out there for 21 minutes and finish with two points on three shots and three rebounds.

Also, Anthony Edwards needs to take more than 13 shots or his team will be in a lot of trouble.

The post Kendrick Perkins Says 1 NBA Playoff Team Is In Trouble appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/kendrick-perkins-says-1-nba-playoff-team-is-in-trouble/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Julius Randle Sends Strong Message To Timberwolves After Tuesday’s Loss

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Julius Randle led his Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, scoring 28 points and eight rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Yet, it wasn’t enough, and the T-Wolves fell to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Following that loss, Randle spoke with ESPN and reminded fans and his fellow players that the team was also defeated by the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the last round, but Minnesota ended up winning that series.

“We proved that we can do it, but we got to make it happen, too,” Randle said. “We can’t just be like, ‘All right, we did it last series … we’re going to do it again.’ This is a great team. They’ve been playing great basketball all year. So, the good thing is we proved to ourselves that we can do it. But we got to make it happen.”

The Timberwolves have rebounded before, but can they do it again?

Obviously, this series against OKC will be very different than the one against the Warriors.

For starters, the Warriors were without their lead player, Steph Curry, for nearly all of that matchup.

Secondly, the Thunder are a young, energetic, defensive juggernaut that has been the best team in the West all season long.

The Timberwolves have their work cut out for them, but they are also a smart and accomplished team with a defense to brag about.

Yes, they had an off night on Tuesday, but they can learn from that and get back on track.

If they want that to happen, Randle needs a lot of help from his co-stars, including Anthony Edwards and especially Rudy Gobert, who only put up two points and three rebounds.

The Timberwolves need to believe in themselves, but they can’t take anything for granted in this series.

The post Julius Randle Sends Strong Message To Timberwolves After Tuesday’s Loss appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/julius-randle-sends-strong-message-to-timberwolves-after-tuesdays-loss/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Chris Finch Reveals What Went Wrong For Timberwolves On Tuesday

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

After a strong showing in the first half, the Minnesota Timberwolves hit a few roadblocks on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They ultimately lost their game against the Thunder 114-88.

After the defeat, head coach Chris Finch talked to ESPN about the many problems that plagued his team.

“Sometimes, the passes were late,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “Sometimes we weren’t quite shot-ready. Sometimes we need to turn them into other plays. But I did think we got a number of really good looks and couldn’t connect when the game was turning against us.”

A number of Minnesota stars were having issues on the court, especially from behind the three-point line.

Donte DiVincenzo was just 3-of-12 from downtown, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker was 2-of-9.

Meanwhile, Mike Conley was 1-of-5 and Naz Reid was 0-of-7.

The Thunder threw the Timberwolves off their footing, and Minnesota wasn’t able to climb back into contention in the second half.

As the lead grew larger, OKC’s confidence did as well.

Finch will have to spend the next couple of days closely examining his team and all the mistakes they made.

He mentioned late passes and shots that weren’t ready, so it is clear that he has an idea about what needs to be fixed during Game 2.

The problem is that the Thunder will not ease up and will likely only grow more confident for the next match.

The Timberwolves do not want to head back to Minnesota in a 2-0 hole, so they must do everything in their power to correct their missteps as quickly as possible.

The post Chris Finch Reveals What Went Wrong For Timberwolves On Tuesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/chris-finch-reveals-what-went-wrong-for-timberwolves-on-tuesday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Jaden McDaniels Gets Honest About His Flagrant Foul In Game 2

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Like the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves and their fanbase, Jaden McDaniels was frustrated by the state of the game on Thursday night.

With his team trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder, McDaniels made an impulsive decision that cost his Timberwolves.

Following the game, he talked to the press about why he decided to shove Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and earn himself a flagrant foul.

“I just wanted to foul him for real. I wasn’t even mad, I just had fouls to use,” McDaniels said, via Oh No He Didn’t and Hoop Central.

"I just wanted to foul him for real. I wasn't even mad I just had fouls to use."

— Jaden McDaniels on shoving Shai.

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/jIuugGkblr

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 23, 2025

With a bit more than six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves were down by a lot against the Thunder, and it looked like victory was slipping out of reach.

As Gilgeous-Alexander made his way up the court with the ball, McDaniels guarded and then trailed him.

When he got behind the reigning MVP, he shoved him in the back.

It wasn’t too hard of a shove, but it was enough to knock Gilgeous-Alexander down and get the attention of the refs, who immediately blew the whistle and cited McDaniels for a flagrant.

It sounds like McDaniels has no regrets about his actions and did it not because he was mad but because he simply had a foul to give.

Was that a smart idea, especially since it added to his team’s deficit?

Fans will debate the wisdom of McDaniel’s foul, but his frustration is understandable.

Minnesota wanted to walk away with a rebounding victory in Game 2, wishing to send a message that they can keep up with the best team in the West.

Instead, they got trounced and now sit in a 2-0 hole.

The post Jaden McDaniels Gets Honest About His Flagrant Foul In Game 2 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/jaden-mcdaniels-gets-honest-about-his-flagrant-foul-in-game-2/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Reveals Key Offensive Adjustment For Game 2

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Even though his team lost 114-88 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards doesn’t sound too worried about his team’s chances.

In fact, he already has a plan about how to move forward.

Speaking with ESPN after his team’s defeat, Edwards laid out what’s ahead for him.

“I definitely got to shoot more,” Edwards said. “I only took 13 f—ing shots. … Probably just get off the ball a little more, play without the ball. I think that will be the answer. Because playing on the ball, they’re just going to double and sit in the gaps all day.

Edwards sounded relaxed in his post-game press conference, which might be a sign of just how confident he is about this series.

Tuesday wasn’t Edwards’ greatest night, and he finished with 18 points on 5-of-13 from the floor.

Only one of his attempts was made inside the paint, which speaks to just how suffocating the OKC defense is.

The real problems came during the second half, when Edwards only scored five points.

Obviously, that will have to change in the games ahead because the Timberwolves cannot get far if their star player isn’t putting up star numbers.

Edwards said he was going to study film from the game and plot a course forward with head coach Chris Finch.

It’s obvious that the Thunder aren’t going to change their defensive approach, and Edwards and his team will have to accept that and adjust.

How can they win over a defense that just does not quit?

Edwards knew that Tuesday night wasn’t terrific, but he sounds committed and confident moving forward.

He was smiling after the game, but will he give fans something to smile about soon?

The post Anthony Edwards Reveals Key Offensive Adjustment For Game 2 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-reveals-key-offensive-adjustment-for-game-2/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Rudy Gobert Gets Honest About The Timberwolves Being Down In Series

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Saturday’s Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is a must-win for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While a loss wouldn’t eliminate them from the playoffs, it would put them in a nearly impossible 3-0 hole and would essentially doom their chances of moving on.

Speaking to the press, Rudy Gobert didn’t downplay the importance of the game, but he said his Timberwolves are attempting to stay in the moment and not focus on the consequences of falling into a 3-0 deficit.

“That’s not helpful,” Gobert said, per Dave McMenamin. “If you’re on the battlefield and you’re worried about the outcome, you’ll get shot in your head.”

Rudy Gobert on the Wolves needing to stay in the moment vs. considering the consequences of falling down 3-0 to OKC: “That’s not helpful … If you’re on the battlefield and you’re worried about the outcome, you’ll get shot in your head.” pic.twitter.com/DjDlrl1bfV

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 24, 2025

This is a thought process that many stars have at this point in the playoffs.

Yes, the Timberwolves are in a bad position, and, yes, another loss would cost them dearly and could basically end their season.

But Minnesota isn’t trying to think like that.

Instead, they are just focusing on the next 48 minutes of basketball and trying to win this game, and then they will worry about what’s next after that.

After a long and hard series against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder are once again looking like the best team in the West and frontrunners for the championship.

They aren’t going easy on the Timberwolves and are seemingly getting better.

Their Game 2 victory was a comfortable one, and they looked completely in control.

Over the last several days, the Timberwolves have watched footage of that game, tweaked their plans, and headed back home.

Now Game 3 will be in front of their own fans, and they are hoping they can give them something to cheer about.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, but Gobert and his team are attempting to stay centered, focused, and completely in the present.

The post Rudy Gobert Gets Honest About The Timberwolves Being Down In Series appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/rudy-gobert-gets-honest-about-the-timberwolves-being-down-in-series/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Former Player Calls Out Julius Randle After Game 4 Performance

(Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves came bitterly close to evening their Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.

Sadly, their starters weren’t able to be consistent and help the team cross the finish line, and now they are in a 3-1 hole.

Speaking on “Run It Back,” Lou Williams had some harsh criticism for Julius Randle, who had one of his worst nights of the season.

He said that the Timberwolves’ performance will be a “hard pill” for them to swallow in the summer and stated that Randle needs to play better moving forward.

.@TeamLou23 calls Julius Randle's Game 4 performance 'unacceptable'

"He's gotta play better. … This was a 2-point game and you have a guy that shoots 1-7…gonna be a hard pill for them to swallow in the offseason, knowing they were so close to these opportunities." pic.twitter.com/QCUBFf2oiz

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 27, 2025

Randle was basically a non-entity in Monday’s game, scoring five points and going 1-of-7 from the field as well as 0-of-3 from the three-point line.

To make matters even worse for the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards also had a bad night, and that only hurt the team more.

This is a squad that cannot survive if both Randle and Edwards are performing poorly.

Randle was brought to Minnesota as a way to take pressure off Edwards’ shoulders.

The team is not assembled to succeed when both of these stars are struggling.

The Timberwolves lost by just two points, which makes Randle’s five total points even more painful.

Fans are already thinking about how things could have been different if only he had a few more minutes of good action.

Randle was playing quite well during the playoffs, but he has faced his fair share of problems against the Thunder.

Like so many other NBA players, he has discovered just how talented and challenging OKC is.

Unfortunately, his poor performance on Monday cost his team the game, and it may have cost them the season too.

The post Former Player Calls Out Julius Randle After Game 4 Performance appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/former-player-calls-out-julius-randle-after-game-4-performance/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Stats Show How Timberwolves’ Bench Dominated In Game 4

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

It was a tale of two Minnesota Timberwolves teams on Monday night.

On one hand, the starters were having all sorts of problems and weren’t looking like their regular selves.

On the other hand, the bench players were stepping up and keeping the team alive.

According to StatMuse, the numbers from Monday’s Game 4 were quite stark.

The Wolves’ starters collectively scored 62 points, while the combination of second-unit players Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid, and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 64.

Points tonight:

62 — Wolves starters
64 — NAW, Donte, Naz, TSJ pic.twitter.com/RvjDTeeZXi

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2025

These impressive numbers from the bench have all fans wondering what could have happened if the starters were in better form.

The Timberwolves lost by just two points, and things could have been very different had Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and others not been having trouble.

At multiple times throughout the game, Minnesota followers were astonished to see how close the game was.

That’s because their biggest stars weren’t playing well, yet the Timberwolves somehow kept things close.

The key was these bench players.

Alexander-Walker led the whole team with 23 points, while DiVincenzo was right behind him with 21, Reid had 11, and Shannon had nine.

The Timberwolves are now barely hanging onto their spot in the playoffs, and one more loss will eliminate them.

If they wish to remain in competition, they will need everyone, from starters and bench players, to perform well.

There is now no margin for error from anyone, and Minnesota has to be at 100 percent in Game 5 and beyond.

All eyes will be on the team to see how they respond.

If everyone comes together and pushes themselves, they might keep hope alive.

If not, the season will come to a disappointing end.

The post Stats Show How Timberwolves’ Bench Dominated In Game 4 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stats-show-how-timberwolves-bench-dominated-in-game-4/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Julius Randle Admits He Was ‘Just Spectating’ In Game 4

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Julius Randle and his Minnesota Timberwolves kept it close, but they ultimately lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night and are now a single loss away from being eliminated from the postseason.

Randle was supposed to be a huge help for the team, but in the end, he was simply a hindrance.

Following the game, he talked to ESPN about how poorly he performed.

“I think it was just a lot me just spectating,” Randle said. “I got to figure out a way to get myself involved in actions. I think I didn’t take my first shot in the second half until there were 20 seconds left in the third quarter. I got to figure out a way to get myself in position to be more aggressive, rather than just standing, spectating or trying to crash the glass.”

Randle’s numbers weren’t anything to write home about, and he scored only five points on 1-of-7 from the field, a playoff-career low.

He had a rough first half, and it became clear that the second half wasn’t going to be much better.

He wasn’t the only one struggling, as Anthony Edwards also had a bad night.

It’s a shame to see Randle perform so poorly because he had been doing quite well in the playoffs up until that point.

However, OKC has been very complicated and challenging for Randle, and he has looked more inconsistent during this series when compared to how he did against the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

He scored 28 points in Game 1, only six in Game 2, and then 24 in Game 3.

Randle can come back strong in Game 5, and the fans are hoping he does.

If he has another tough game, the series – and the season – could be over.

The post Julius Randle Admits He Was ‘Just Spectating’ In Game 4 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/julius-randle-admits-he-was-just-spectating-in-game-4/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Gets Honest About Timberwolves’ Game 4 Struggles

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards and his Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t have what it takes on Monday night, falling 128-126 to the Oklahoma City Thunder and now sitting just one loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs.

Unfortunately for Minnesota, their biggest star wasn’t looking like his regular self during Game 4.

Anthony Edwards spoke about his performance with ESPN and said that he and Julius Randle didn’t have bad nights; they were just outplayed.

“I don’t look at it like I struggled, or [Julius Randle] struggled,” Edwards said. “They just, they had a good game plan, making us get off the ball. Especially for me, man. They were super in the gaps, I made the right play all night.”

Edwards may say that he didn’t struggle, but some fans would argue against that.

He notched only 16 points, the second-lowest scoring night of the postseason.

He was 5-of-13 from the field and just 1-of-7 from the three-point line.

Meanwhile, Randle posted only five points and seven rebounds, also having a bad night when the team needed him more than ever.

It was bench star Nickeil Alexander-Walker who led the Timberwolves with his 23 points.

Edwards commended OKC’s game plan, which kept Minnesota on their toes and never allowed them to make progress or build a margin of victory.

Game 4 looked radically different from Game 3, and fans quickly learned that the Thunder were not going to perform as poorly as they did on Saturday evening.

The Timberwolves probably could have survived without Randle playing well, but they couldn’t muster a win with both Randle and Edwards having rough shooting nights.

It was just too much for them to handle, and the Thunder were able to squeeze past them.

If the Timberwolves want any chance of rebounding in this series, it’ll require Edwards never having another night like this one.

The post Anthony Edwards Gets Honest About Timberwolves’ Game 4 Struggles appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-gets-honest-about-timberwolves-game-4-struggles/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Brian Windhorst Reveals Harsh Reality About Timberwolves Roster

(Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are stuck in a tough position right now: they are one of the most promising teams in the Western Conference, but they keep coming up short.

Additionally, they have to consider their contracts and how much they are spending next season and beyond.

Speaking on “Pardon My Take,” Brian Windhorst shared a stark reality about the Timberwolves: they will probably look different next season.

“Well I don’t think they can keep this team together. The core they can but… so Julius Randle’s a free agent. Nickeil Alexander Walker is a free agent and Naz Reid is a free agent. He has an opt out which I’m sure he’s going to take. Ant’s contract is very large… I would be surprised if they were able to re-sign all three guys,” Windhorst said, via Legion Hoops.

Brian Windhorst doesn’t think the Timberwolves can keep Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker:

“Well I don’t think they can keep this team together. The core they can but… so Julius Randle’s a free agent. Nickeil Alexander Walker is a free agent and Naz Reid is a… pic.twitter.com/hABrDy1hAI

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 29, 2025

Julius Randle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Naz Reid will all get a lot of attention in the offseason.

That’s because one or all of them could be leaving the team after testing the waters of free agency.

All of their names, and especially Reid’s, have been talked about all year as potential free agents who could gain a lot of attention from other teams.

The big question is which player the Timberwolves will try to stick with.

Who has the most value for the team, and who do they want to spend their money on?

If they aren’t able to keep all three players, they will have to be strategic and smart about their choice.

The Timberwolves haven’t achieved what they want, but they also don’t want to make a costly mistake and limit their chances even more.

The post Brian Windhorst Reveals Harsh Reality About Timberwolves Roster appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/brian-windhorst-reveals-harsh-reality-about-timberwolves-roster/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Analyst Believes Anthony Edwards Should Leave Timberwolves

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Not many people expected the Minnesota Timberwolves to make it back to the Western Conference Finals heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.

They lost Karl-Anthony Towns, a cornerstone piece for many seasons, which was expected to leave a massive hole in their roster.

Early returns were not positive, as the Timberwolves had a difficult time coming together, but they turned it around when it mattered most.

Anthony Edwards was a major catalyst, as was the emergence of Julius Randle, a piece of the Towns trade.

Edwards is viewed as one of the league’s emerging superstars, and many believed he could give the Timberwolves a chance to make it to the 2025 NBA Finals.

However, Edwards and the Timberwolves fell short for a second straight year, and he’s received some criticism for not being able to take the next step.

Some blame Edwards, but others have said this is more about the team around him, that he didn’t have a real chance to succeed with the current roster.

Because of this, FOX Sports analyst Kelvin Washington recently said Edwards’ talents might be better utilized elsewhere.

“I don’t think Anthony Edwards is going to win in Minnesota. He’ll have a Kevin Garnett-like career, but he might have to go somewhere else to do it,” Washington said, via FOX Sports Radio.

@Kdubblive: "I don't think Anthony Edwards is going to win in Minnesota. He'll have a Kevin Garnett-like career, but he might have to go elsewhere to do it."

@robparkerMLBbro: "I disagree…There's a great chance if you make the right tweaks!" pic.twitter.com/rMDUzbkBDv

— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) May 30, 2025

In Washington’s mind, the Timberwolves don’t have what it takes to win at the highest level, and if Edwards wants a ring by the end of his career, it won’t be with Minnesota.

Garnett had to join the Boston Celtics to win his championship, so it will be interesting to see if Edwards follows suit and joins another organization.

The post Analyst Believes Anthony Edwards Should Leave Timberwolves appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-believes-anthony-edwards-should-leave-timberwolves/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Insider Reveals Timberwolves Will Keep Roster ‘Intact’ After Playoff Elimination

(Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

What will the Minnesota Timberwolves do this summer now that their postseason run ended in disappointment?

Will they ship away a few key players and try to add more talent?

Or will they run it back with the same crew?

Writing for The Athletic, Jon Krawczynski told Timberwolves fans they should expect to see the squad that competed in 2024-25.

“On the basketball side, things are expected to remain largely intact [for the Timberwolves], team sources said,” Krawczynski wrote.

Is this a good or a bad thing?

Obviously, Minnesota wants to keep Anthony Edwards, who is one of the best young players in the league and could continue to lead the team for years.

However, some fans think the T-Wolves should make adjustments around him.

While some of the big names, such as Rudy Gobert, are sure to stay, there are question marks surrounding others.

There is speculation that Naz Reid, for example, may venture into free agency this summer.

Even Julius Randle has people talking, and some followers of the team wouldn’t be shocked to see him leave.

This season had a lot of highs but also a lot of lows.

The team had hopes of going all the way to the Finals this year, and they were competitive in their first two rounds, but they just couldn’t get over the magnificent talent of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But was that because of the roster or some other factors?

It sounds like the Timberwolves believe their roster is just fine, so they will attempt to keep it next season.

However, that doesn’t mean they’ll have better luck.

The post Insider Reveals Timberwolves Will Keep Roster ‘Intact’ After Playoff Elimination appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/insider...keep-roster-intact-after-playoff-elimination/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Draymond Green Weighs In On Debate About Giannis Antetokounmpo

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks the best power forward in the league?

That’s a question that many NBA fans have asked, and now one of the most successful basketball stars in the world is weighing in.

Appearing on his show, Draymond Green talked about Antetokounmpo and gave his thoughts about him being the best NBA star in his position.

Believe it or not, he doesn’t think Antetokounmpo is the best power forward, but he has a good reason for that.

“I’m going to disagree,” Green said when Davis asked about the debate over Antetokounmpo. “Giannis has played in an era where it kind of became positionless basketball, and I don’t necessarily quite think Giannis is a power forward. In saying that, that’s why I disagree with that, because Giannis is one of the greatest players of this era. What made people start calling Giannis a power forward is because you had to start putting power forwards and centers on Giannis.”

So, Green is a huge fan of Antetokounmpo’s skills and thinks he’s one of the greatest players in the world, but he doesn’t consider him a traditional power forward.

Antetokounmpo came into the league at a time when positions were changing constantly.

The roles of players were very fluid, and it now isn’t uncommon to see someone have versatile skills in many ways.

A current NBA superstar can run the ball, make plays, assist, dunk, and block.

Ideally, they can do it all.

This is good news for teams, but it has made the concepts of positions a bit murky.

Therefore, Antetokounmpo is technically a power forward, but many people would argue that he doesn’t have any sort of official position.

Regardless of what people call him, one thing is certain: Antetokounmpo is definitely one of the best stars in the world, and he is a threat to his opponents, no matter what position he is playing.

The post Draymond Green Weighs In On Debate About Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/draymond-green-weighs-in-on-debate-about-giannis-antetokounmpo/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Says He’s ‘Hurt’ For 1 Timberwolves Player

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards was disappointed when his Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday night, but he wasn’t feeling bad solely for himself.

Instead, Edwards was also unhappy about how his team came up short for one of their most beloved stars.

Speaking to ESPN after the game, he said that he’s “hurt more so” for Mike Conley, who is nearing the end of his NBA career.

“I don’t know why people would think it would hurt. It’s exciting for me,” Edwards said. “I’m 23. I get to do it a whole bunch of times. I’m hurt more so for Mike [Conley]. I came up short for Mike. We tried last year, we couldn’t get it. We tried again this year. We’ll try again next year. But hurt is a terrible word to use. I’m good.”

This response is very on brand for Edwards.

He made it clear that he still believes in his team and is excited for what will come next.

Even with this loss, he feels that brighter days are ahead for the Timberwolves.

Additionally, Edwards showed his love for his teammate.

Conley has been in the NBA for 18 seasons now and is 37 years old.

That means he is certainly coming closer to retirement, and his days with the Timberwolves are coming to a close.

So, while Edwards and his team might be able to win a championship in a few years, will they do so with Conley still in the lineup?

These sorts of losses hurt teams for a number of reasons, but it’s always harder for players who are older because their chances of coming back become slimmer and slimmer.

When will the Timberwolves earn their championship ring, and will Conley be on the team when that happens?

The post Anthony Edwards Says He’s ‘Hurt’ For 1 Timberwolves Player appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-says-hes-hurt-for-1-timberwolves-player/