Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star and top overall pick, is preparing for an intense summer of training after a frustrating playoff defeat. Following their exit in the Western Conference Finals (WCF) to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, Edwards is determined to address the team‘s shortcomings and enhance his performance for the next NBA season.
Reflecting on Another Playoff Setback
Edwards acknowledged the team‘s defeat by the Thunder, who won the series in five games, using blunt language to describe how Oklahoma City dominated the Timberwolves. He remarked,
“They put belt to a**. I can’t be mad at that.”
Although disappointed, Edwards maintains that the pain of this loss shouldn’t be exaggerated. Unlike previous seasons, when Minnesota was knocked out by the Dallas Mavericks in the WCF, Edwards claimed the feelings this time are more about motivation than hurt.
“I don’t know why people think it would hurt. Hurt is a terrible word to use. I am good,”
Edwards stated, continuing,
“Like I said, we tried last year, we couldn’t get it. We tried again this year. We are going to try again next year.”
Team Chemistry Issues Cited as Key Factor
One significant reason Edwards pointed to for the early exit was the Timberwolves’ inability to synchronize during the playoff series. He explained that, unlike previous rounds where the team played cohesively, this time they struggled to hit their stride together.
“We never clicked altogether as a team in this series. Not even one game. I think that was the main thing. Like, in the last two series, we were all clicking at one time, making shots and stuff. We weren’t clicking at one time here,”
Edwards observed. This lack of unity, he believes, was a defining factor in their failure to advance further.
Young Star’s Rising Achievements Amidst Challenges
At just 23 years old, Edwards is already making major waves for the Timberwolves. During the 2024-25 season, he set a franchise record by sinking 244 three-pointers, the most in a single season for Minnesota. Additionally, he broke the team’s playoff wins record and earned a spot on the All-NBA second team. These accomplishments highlight his role as a transformative figure for the franchise despite the disappointments.
Commitment to Growth and Next Steps
Edwards insists that the setbacks will fuel rather than deter his commitment. He described the opportunity to work diligently on his skills over the summer as a rare chance, promising exceptional dedication.
“I mean, it’s exciting for me. I am 23, I get to do it a whole bunch of times,”
he shared. He added with conviction,
“Nobody’s going to work harder than me this summer, I will tell you that much,”
indicating his readiness to intensify his offseason regimen.
Looking ahead, Edwards hopes the Timberwolves can resolve their teamwork issues and push harder as a collective. His ambition is clear: capitalize on future opportunities to rewrite the narrative, both personally and for the franchise.