DENVER — Who knows if this is the moment for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who refuse to acknowledge the generational trauma that is breaking with each playoff victory, each devastating run they put on more established names.
But what we do know is that Anthony Edwards’ time may be coming much faster than the biggest optimist could have predicted.
And that should have the champion Denver Nuggets on high alert, if not outright worried. Edwards had a diet of capable defenders in his face and sent them the other way with looks of bewilderment, frustration and helplessness.
Edwards’ career-high 43 points in the playoffs led the Timberwolves to a somewhat shocking victory in Game 1 at Ball Arena on Saturday, 106-99. Normally, when the champion loses the opening home game of a playoff series, the word “steal” comes into play — but it didn’t feel like the Timberwolves stole Game 1.
They made an announcement to the NBA world that hasn’t fully embraced them yet, that they’re not coming, but they’re here. And holding the megaphone was the rising star who made sure to let the world know he’s 22, not 23.
“I’m 22 years old,” Edwards said, correcting teammate Mike Conley at the podium when Conley was referring to Edwards’ maturity on the court and trust in his teammates, saying he’s “22, 23 years old.”
Edwards was built for this moment, even though it was a second-round series and not the Western Conference Finals. But for all intents and purposes, it very well could be. It’s the NBA’s glamorous second-round series, and he should grow much more in stature in the coming weeks, assuming nights like Saturday’s continue.
There will be a segment of people upset that the usual suspects aren’t taking the stage as the playoffs progress, but the kid with the bright smile and a brighter future is right in front of the world’s eyes, waiting for everyone to notice.
“We’re just going out to play. It’s not about introducing ourselves to anyone, we know what we are,” said Edwards. “We are a collective group. We trust each other, we are well trained.”
“We’re stuck,” Conley added.
Edwards might as well have turned the lights out in the building with his fourth-quarter buckets, a ridiculously fast, athletic half, fundamental base half who looks so much like players of his pedigree.
You mix that up and you have a clear and present danger for the defending champions, who lost their first home playoff game since Game 2 of last year’s Finals against the Miami Heat.
The Timberwolves have been preparing to play this team this season and appear more than ready for the challenge.
“I think it’s about us. You know, obviously, we really believe that Denver is one of the best teams in this league, but we know we believe in our abilities,” said Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, one of the three tasked with guarding the likely most valuable player. Nikola. Jokic.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid also share responsibility and, at least during one game, the strategy seemed to work. Jokic scored 32 points with 9 assists and 8 rebounds, but made 25 shots – the most he has made in a playoff game this year.
“I can have a duplicate clone of myself,” Jokić said wryly about how best to deal with the big three. “That way, when one of them comes into the game, I can have a new version.”
Edwards saw the same number of defenders. From rangy veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of the best in the league, to Aaron Gordon, a bigger, stronger defender, to backups Christian Braun and Justin Holiday.
Each required a different plan of attack and Edwards seemed to execute the reconnaissance report perfectly. It takes a special talent to keep up with a team that initially failed to shoot well, with Edwards scoring 15 goals in the first quarter, while keeping his teammates involved and not forcing his own attack.
These are lessons that some big names didn’t learn until late in their careers, if at all. But Edwards has a way of reading the game that keeps him in attack mode but also makes sophisticated reads to get off the ball.
“These guys are going to shoot. Everybody’s going to miss shots, I don’t make all my shots,” Edwards said. “If they’re open, I’ll stop by every time.”
Like all specials, he knows it will come back to him. He knows that the game, at some point, will be in his hands.
Edwards attacked the night like Kendrick Lamar did a defeated rival, repeatedly quelling the Nuggets’ threats with grown-up plays, never feeling like the game was too big for him. While it appears the Nuggets’ biggest rival is the Lakers, it was the Timberwolves who gave them the toughest competition last spring despite it being a five-game first round series.
“I lost to these guys last year, they’re the defending champions,” Edwards said. “The best player in the league, Nikola Jokić. To me, they have the best close-up on Jamal Murray.”
Edwards could challenge Murray for the title soon, especially if Murray continues to limp due to the calf injury he suffered against the Lakers in the first round. -14 — making Jokić have to have more control of the attack.
And Murray had to deal with a quick guard who hounded him for much of the night. That’s right, Edwards had no problem taking over Murray’s assignment early – and while that seems like a lot of energy expended on both ends of the court, it leaves plenty of room for teammates like Towns and Conley to exploit their matchups. , and still having to be responsible for Denver’s defense when he doesn’t have the ball.
Towns got off to a slow start in the third quarter when Edwards wasn’t as assertive as he was in the first half when he dropped 25. Then in the fourth, Reid scored 14 of his 16 points — with two 3-pointers. plays courtesy of Edwards’ passes.
That’s the danger the Nuggets find themselves in, no matter how early. The champions will be heard, but Edwards and the Timberwolves will be there, waiting for the next blow, ready to launch their own counterattack.
