Historical past is on the facet of the San Antonio Spurs.
In a 7 video games sequence, when tied 1-1, the winner of Recreation 3 goes on the win the sequence 73% of the time.
In Recreation 1, Anthony Edwards got here off the bench. After a speedy restoration from a knee hyperextension he gave the Timberwolves a lift with 18 factors in 25 minutes of play. In Recreation 2, the Spurs dominated as Ant-Man was held to 12 factors in a blow out. However in Recreation 3, Edwards did what he does, taking part in a formidable 41 minutes and tallying a extra spectacular 32 factors. 12 consecutive factors on the finish of the primary together with a buzzer-beater adopted by taking the lead at the beginning of the second quarter.
The Timberwolves downside isn’t Anthony Edwards.
And that’s the issue.
Edwards has been one of many league’s most promising gamers since going first total in 2020. He’s stayed scorching whereas a lot of his contemporaries have cooled off. Edward’s skillset, showmanship, youth and vitality had pundits predicting him as a future face of the NBA…till Victor Wembanyama got here alongside.
The Timberwolves have made some excessive profile trades since Edwards proved to be definitely worth the hype, hedging future draft picks for Rudy Gobert, sending Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and parting with a growing Rob Dillingham in lieu of the extra seasoned Ayo Dosunmu.
If statistics show appropriate and the Spurs do win the sequence, to what size will the group go to please their generational expertise? Who can be on the chopping block?
Minnesota are essentially the most “win now” crew within the Western Convention. I’d say within the league, however the Knicks maintain that honor. Ever because the Karl- Anthony Cities commerce, they’ve each been in line to be the league’s prime squad.
The Timberwolves have additionally been to the Western Convention Finals the final two seasons, dropping to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in 20205.
For perspective, because the 2024 Finals the Dallas Mavericks have since blown it up. After profitable in 2025, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are nonetheless on the prime of the their recreation and favorites to win all of it.
In the event that they lose a spherical earlier to a crew nonetheless on their rise, their window begins to shut.
At Edward’s age, the Timberwolves will nonetheless be contenders. They may very well be a bit or two earlier than plateauing, however let’s be trustworthy, the T-wolves are much less prone to resemble the late 90s Chicago Bulls and extra prone to fare just like the late 90s Utah Jazz.
And finally Edwards will stay within the shadow of Victor Wembanyama. True, most will, however many noticed it coming. This can be Ant-Man’s first true reckoning,
He’s misplaced to Luka Doncic, he’s been knocked out by Shai Gilgeous- Alexander. Dropping to Wemby now may have a extra profound impact on his ego than he’s prepared for.
However It’s not simply Anthony Edwards who wants this win. The group wants it to maintain the crew on the rise. A step backward will certainly rock the entire program and provides them so much to consider within the offseason.
The query is — when will Minnesota’s offseason begin?
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