Chris Finch challenges Anthony Edwards after Timberwolves’ Recreation 1 loss

MINNEAPOLIS — After the Timberwolves dropped Recreation 1 of their Western Convention semifinal collection regardless of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s early exit, Minnesota coach Chris Finch challenged the efficiency of franchise star Anthony Edwards.

“It begins with Ant,” Finch mentioned following the Wolves’ 99-88 loss Tuesday night time. “I believed he struggled, after which you may simply sort of see the sunshine exit a little bit bit for some time.”

Edwards, who was No. 4 within the league in scoring common in the course of the common season at 27.6 factors per recreation, totaled only a level at halftime on 0-for-8 taking pictures. Minnesota trailed 44-31 on the break.

He would miss his first 10 photographs in all earlier than making a basket, and he completed with 23 factors on 9-for-23 taking pictures, together with 1-for-5 on 3-pointers.

Even after Curry’s left hamstring pressure brought about him to depart the sport within the second quarter after scoring 13 factors in 13 minutes, the Wolves have been unable to make a lot of a dent. Golden State led by as many as 23 factors, and Minnesota by no means lower the deficit nearer than 9 factors within the second half.

Finch mentioned addressing the 23-year-old Edwards’ spirit should not be one thing he has to educate at this stage of the postseason.

“What’s there to speak about? You are the chief of the group,” Finch mentioned. “You have to come out and set the tone. In case your shot is just not going, you continue to have to hold the power. If I’ve bought to speak to guys about having the correct power coming into a gap second-round recreation, then we’re not on the identical web page.”

Edwards, who had two steals within the first half whereas Minnesota held Golden State to 44 factors on 37.2% taking pictures, pointed to his protection as proof that his effort wasn’t as off as Finch believed.

The three-time All-Star accepted any critiques which may include the loss nonetheless.

“Individuals are going to attempt to blame no matter, blame whoever; they’ll blame me,” Edwards mentioned. “[But] we simply did not play ok.”

He was hardly the one Minnesota participant to underperform. Julius Randle, who averaged 22.6 factors on 48.1% taking pictures within the first-round collection win over the Los Angeles Lakers, shot simply 4-for-11 on Tuesday and had as many turnovers as rebounds, with three. Place to begin guard Mike Conley was held scoreless, going 0-for-5. Donte DiVincenzo tallied seven factors on 3-for-11 taking pictures (1-for-7 from 3) off the bench.

“It is irritating, however I am inspired,” Randle mentioned. “There’s numerous issues as a group that we will do higher.

“We won’t damage ourselves, and we really feel like we did that tonight.”

Minnesota heart Rudy Gobert mentioned the Wolves’ lengthy wait to begin the second spherical — whereas the Warriors battled with the Houston Rockets for seven video games to advance — impacted the group.

“Possibly we would have liked to get able to play a high-intensity recreation,” Gobert mentioned. “Not taking part in for six days, regardless that we practiced, I believe we weren’t actually feeling that depth.”

The Wolves shot 0-for-15 from 3 within the first half — the group’s first half in any recreation with no made 3 since 2018 and first half in a playoff recreation with no 3 since 2004 — and simply 5-for-29 for the sport.

Between their closeout win over L.A. within the first spherical and their second-round opener, the Wolves had the worst two-game 3-point taking pictures stretch in NBA playoff historical past by going 12-for-76 (15.8%), in accordance with ESPN Analysis (minimal of fifty 3-point makes an attempt).

“Tonight, we did not shoot the ball effectively, however tonight is over,” Edwards mentioned. “So, subsequent recreation we’ll shoot the ball rather well.”

Finch additionally took purpose at his group’s fast-break execution, because it managed solely 10 fast-break factors, regardless that the Warriors dedicated 18 turnovers.

“Our transition decision-making was diabolical,” Finch mentioned. “Clearly, we could not hit a shot, however I did not like the truth that we could not repeatedly generate good photographs. We must always’ve been in a position to.”

Conley, the Wolves’ 37-year-old elder statesman, mentioned the Wolves may have one thing higher in retailer for Thursday’s Recreation 2.

“I anticipate a response,” Conley mentioned. “All of us felt like we performed as dangerous as we might. Give them credit score, however we weren’t there all the best way. A number of psychological errors, numerous psychological errors and numerous issues we all know we will change, so I believe we’ll be prepared.”