The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a disappointing 99-88 defeat to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals, and the aftermath saw some intense words exchanged between head coach Chris Finch and star player Anthony Edwards.
Finch didn’t mince words, directly addressing Edwards’ subpar performance. He pointed to Edwards’ struggles, noting that his energy seemed to dip significantly throughout the game. Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points per game during the regular season, managed only a single point in the first half on a dismal 0-for-8 shooting performance. This contributed to the Timberwolves trailing by a significant 44-31 margin at halftime.
While Edwards eventually finished with 23 points (9-for-23 shooting), his slow start and overall performance clearly frustrated Finch. Even with Stephen Curry’s early exit due to a hamstring injury, the Timberwolves couldn’t capitalize, failing to cut the deficit to less than nine points in the second half. Finch’s message was clear: at this stage of the playoffs, leadership and consistent energy are paramount, regardless of shooting accuracy.
Edwards, while accepting responsibility for his share of the blame, defended his effort, highlighting his defensive contributions in the first half. However, he acknowledged the team’s overall shortcomings, stating that they simply didn’t play well enough. He wasn’t alone in his underperformance; other key players like Julius Randle, Mike Conley, and Donte DiVincenzo also struggled offensively.
The Timberwolves’ struggles extended beyond individual performances. Their 3-point shooting was abysmal, going 0-for-15 in the first half—their first such occurrence since 2018 and first playoff half without a 3-pointer since 2004. Their overall 3-point shooting for the game was equally dismal (5-for-29). In fact, their combined 3-point shooting in the final game of the first round and Game 1 of the second round marked the worst two-game stretch in NBA playoff history (12-for-76 or 15.7%).
Adding to their woes, the Timberwolves’ transition game was ineffective, managing only 10 fast-break points despite the Warriors’ 18 turnovers. Coach Finch criticized the team’s decision-making in these situations, highlighting another area needing improvement.
Despite the rough start, there’s a sense of optimism within the Timberwolves camp. Both veteran Mike Conley and Julius Randle expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back. They acknowledged the mistakes made in Game 1 and believe they can correct them in time for Game 2. Center Rudy Gobert even suggested the team’s long layoff between the first and second rounds might have contributed to their lackluster performance.
The series isn’t over, and the Timberwolves have a chance to prove their resilience. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether they can overcome their Game 1 shortcomings and even the series.
