After losing to the Lakers, Anthony Edwards makes an unexpected admission.
By Fredrick Tavershima Iyorhon
Following their commanding performance in Game 1, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced a significant setback in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 94-85 defeat at Crypto.com Arena leveled the series at 1-1, setting the stage for an important Game 3 on Friday in Minneapolis. Although the Timberwolves entered the game with confidence after their impressive victory in Game 1, they encountered early disruptions that hindered their offensive consistency throughout the evening. The Timberwolves quickly found themselves in a challenging position as the Lakers surged ahead with a 34-15 lead in the first quarter. Despite making a push in the second half, the Timberwolves were unable to generate enough defensive stops or scoring opportunities to pose a serious threat to Los Angeles in the final moments.
Julius Randle was the top scorer for the Timberwolves with 27 points, while Anthony Edwards contributed 25 points and six assists. However, as the match progressed, tension grew on the Minnesota bench, particularly for Edwards, who found the Lakers’ defensive strategies to be a significant challenge. ‘Whenever I received the ball, they shifted into a zone,’ Edwards remarked after the game, also acknowledging the Lakers’ defensive tactics as ‘perplexing.’
The remarks made by the three-time All-Star underscored the effectiveness of Los Angeles’ tactical approach, which hindered Minnesota’s capacity to execute successful offensive maneuvers. The Timberwolves concluded the game with a shooting percentage of merely 39.7% from the field and managed to convert only 5 out of 25 attempts from three-point range.
In the meantime, the Lakers made a remarkable recovery, led by Luka Doncic’s impressive tally of 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, complemented by LeBron James’ contribution of 21 points and 11 rebounds. As the series transitions to Minnesota for Game 3, both teams will aim to implement essential adjustments. For the Timberwolves, unraveling the Lakers’ defensive strategy will be crucial. Conversely, Los Angeles will strive to maintain the momentum gained from their Game 2 victory as they enter hostile territory.
