Anthony Edwards scored 33 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 131-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Edwards credited head coach Chris Finch for igniting the team at halftime. “Yeah, in the halftime and after the game. Yeah, he weren’t happy about this win at all,” Edwards said.
The guard described his own adjustment on offense after Memphis gave Julius Randle a favorable matchup. “Just being ready to be able to spot up, knock some shots down. They weren’t really falling for me today, but I know they going to fall, so I’m not really tripping,” Edwards explained.
Edwards pointed to improved ball movement in the second half as key to the Timberwolves’ surge. “Move the ball better. Coach, he… you know, same thing that we was talking about last time after the game, just bringing it on the defensive end every night,” he said.
Randle added 27 points and seven assists, helping Minnesota control tempo while Edwards attacked the rim. “It’s going to be hard for everybody, especially myself, but just trying to be there and make the right plays for each other, be in help, be in support, close out, contest shots, not get back door,” Edwards said.
Edwards also reflected on the team’s energy fluctuations during the season. “It starts with me… nights like this, man, it’s super hard to find… the energy to put behind it on every play. Just because like they missing guys, guys not playing,” he said.
Despite early struggles, Minnesota’s offense clicked in the third quarter, hitting 12 of its first 16 shots to turn a nine-point halftime lead into a 92-73 advantage. Edwards noted the importance of maintaining intensity. “We could have played the first 24 minutes harder and been up 30 points… maybe just come out and play the way he want us to play on the defensive end and give it our all,” he said.
Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels each scored 20 points, while Rudy Gobert contributed 16 rebounds and two blocks, anchoring the interior. The Timberwolves shot 53 percent from the field and 49 percent from three, sharing the ball effectively with 28 assists.
Edwards acknowledged minor discomfort but confirmed he finished strong. “Hip a little bit. No, my back, man. But yeah, I finished. I thugged it out. I should be all right,” he said.
Minnesota improves to 31-19, holding fifth place in the Western Conference, while Memphis falls to 18-29 amid injuries and roster challenges. The teams will meet again Monday in Memphis to close the back-to-back set.
