Anthony Edwards was becoming Minnesota’s playoff closer with his passing as well as his scoring.
The Timberwolves won their first four clutch-time games of the 2025 playoffs, outscoring opponents 45-16 in those minutes.
Edwards trusts the extra pass in Game 3
Edwards scored only eight first-half points in Game 3 against Golden State but erupted for 28 after the break in Minnesota’s 102-97 win.
His most important decision was not a shot. When two defenders followed him around a Julius Randle screen, Edwards passed to Randle, who found Jaden McDaniels for a three-pointer and a six-point lead.
Edwards then hit a three of his own with 1:19 remaining. He finished with 36 points, while Randle recorded Minnesota’s first playoff triple-double since Kevin Garnett in 2004.
Golden State forces Edwards off the ball
The Warriors tried to take away Edwards’s three-point shot and make him work without the ball.
Edwards responded by setting screens, moving through designed actions and accepting that the right pass could decide a possession.
Coach Chris Finch said Minnesota was protecting the ball better and limiting second chances during close games.
Third-quarter burst puts Minnesota in control
Edwards scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter of Game 4 and made six three-pointers in a 117-110 victory.
Randle added 31 as Minnesota moved within one win of the Western Conference finals.
Edwards credited assistant coach Chris Hines for sending him detailed film and correcting mistakes. He also redirected attention to his teammates.
“Everybody wants to give me the credit,” Edwards said. “I can’t do it without those guys.”
