Thunder Dominate Game 1 Against Timberwolves
OKLAHOMA CITY — Following a significant 114-88 Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards maintained his confidence despite his team’s struggles.
Edwards’ Determination
Edwards, who finished the game with 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting, spoke highly of his performance after only managing five points in the second half. “I feel great,” he declared, sharing his strategy for Game 2 on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): focus on creating offense instead of just organizing it.
Need for Increased Shooting
“I definitely need to shoot more,” Edwards said emphatically. He noted that only one of his shot attempts was taken in the paint, stressing the need for change against the Thunder’s defensive schemes. When asked if an ankle injury from the first half impacted his play, he confidently replied, “No.”
Poor Shooting from Teammates
Although Edwards was willing to pass, his teammates struggled throughout the game. The team shot just 29.4% on three-pointers, marking a franchise playoff record for attempts from beyond the arc. “We had good looks; we just need to make our shots,” noted Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo.
Adjustments Needed for Game 2
Coach Chris Finch acknowledged the need for improvement, admitting that his team wasn’t always ready to shoot and that there were late passes. Edwards suggested that if the Thunder clutter the lane, he’d prefer to shoot instead of constantly passing out of double teams.
Looking Ahead
While Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 28 points, he managed only eight after halftime. He recognized his responsibility to get Randle more involved in the second half. Despite losing Game 1, Randle reminded his team not to rely solely on past successes: “We have to make it happen,” he said, highlighting the challenge posed by a strong Thunder team.
