NBA: Timberwolves once more left to determine remaining 2 steps to a identify

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) walks around the court docket all through the primary part of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

MINNEAPOLIS— For the entire strides the Minnesota Timberwolves have made since they drafted Anthony Edwards first total 5 years in the past, a once-woebegone franchise now enjoying deep into the playoffs as a dependancy and no longer a hiccup, a noticeable hole stays between them and an NBA identify.

Reaching the remaining two Western Conference finals, in particular this spring after a wonder shuffle of the roster proper ahead of coaching camp and the rigors of changes and accidents during the common season, was once a outstanding accomplishment. The remaining group to seem in two in a row was once Golden State in 2018 and 2019.

READ: Thunder oust Timberwolves 4-1 to advance to NBA Finals

Edwards will flip 24 in about two months, a famous person most effective starting his high years with a handful of mid-20s position gamers round him. But the five-game defeat delivered in machine-like type by way of Oklahoma City raised truthful questions on whether or not those Timberwolves can transparent two extra hurdles to win their first championship.

“Nobody’s going to work harder than me this summer. I’ll tell you that much,” Edwards mentioned after the 30-point loss on Wednesday that ended the sequence in 5 video games.

The offseason dedication hasn’t ever been in query for Edwards, whose set profession highs in 2024-25 in issues consistent with sport (27.6), 3-point capturing share (39.5) and free-throw capturing share (83.7) whilst enjoying in 79 of 82 video games. He additionally led the league in made 3-pointers (320). In 5 seasons, Edwards has ignored a complete of 9 video games.

READ: NBA: Timberwolves battle again with 42-point rout of Thunder

But the Thunder and their NBA-best protection posed a definite problem. Edwards shot simply 6 for 31 from 3-point vary within the 4 losses and was once held below 20 issues in 3 of them. He nonetheless discovered techniques to pressure to the basket and kick the ball thru site visitors to teammates within the nook, however the discrepancy in manufacturing between his counterpart Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once stark. The NBA MVP outscored Edwards 157-115, with a 116-87 edge in box objective makes an attempt and a 51-32 edge in loose throw makes an attempt.

“Obviously, he’s got to learn to play against that physicality and that type of holding all the time. They made it really hard for him,” trainer Chris Finch mentioned. “I thought for a lot of the series, he did make the right play, and we preach that to him all the time. Yeah, we need him to be aggressive, for sure. He’s got to find some easier buckets. I’ve got to help him do that.”

Oklahoma City Thunder ahead Chet Holmgren (7), left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) hug after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Edwards was once additionally a offender within the total dip in effectiveness and depth on protection, after the Wolves led the league on that finish of the court docket all through the 2023-24 season. Even after slipping from first to 6th in defensive ranking for 2024-25, they held the Los Angeles Lakers below 100 issues in 3 of 5 video games within the first spherical and did the similar to the Warriors in the second one spherical.

But Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder had been a distinct tale, albeit with an assault fueled by way of their steal-happy protection that made Edwards, Julius Randle and Naz Reid specifically pay for dribbling an excessive amount of in tight protection.

“Fifteen puppets on one string,” was once how Edwards marveled on the Thunder’s execution in their defensive scheme.

Though 3 in their starters — Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert and Randle — this season had been 30 or older, the Wolves with their mid-20s core of Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo weren’t constantly disciplined and centered sufficient in following the sport plans.

“I think for individuals it has to become even more important to them,” Conley mentioned on Thursday as gamers went thru go out interviews at group headquarters. “Maybe that means studying the game more. Maybe that means doing more individual coaching, taking coaches on the side and getting some individual stuff there, bringing me aside every now and then even more often, and just using the minds around you to help you grasp certain concepts and certain things about the game.”

The eight-player rotation Finch was once hesitant to increase will for sure alternate, with Terrence Shannon Jr. obviously in a position for extra enjoying time within the backcourt and the Wolves hopeful that Rob Dillingham and Jaylen Clark are too. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will turn into an unrestricted loose agent, developing one attainable opening.

Then there’s the difficult contract scenario within the frontcourt, the place Randle and Reid each and every have an method to workout for subsequent season they may make a decision to say no in want of a longer-term, extra profitable deal. Reid, for his phase, mentioned he would most likely choose out. The 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year additionally mentioned he would favor to be a starter.

“But if you want to be in a winning position,” Reid mentioned, “sometimes you might have to sacrifice.” ___