Anthony Edwards speaks after being eliminated in game six of the second round.
The season came to an end for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in game six of the second round.
For the second straight game, the Spurs jumped out to a quick lead, and never looked back.
Unlike in game five when the Timberwolves battled back to tie the game early in the third quarter, Minnesota could never sustain enough momentum to cut into the lead or potentially make a true comeback. By the midway point in the fourth quarter, the game was over to everyone watching and even the players, though there was still time left on the clock.
Anthony Edwards Speaks
With eight minutes to go in the fourth, and the Timberwolves down by 33, the white flag was raised. Head coach Chris Finch pulled his starters from the game, and Anthony Edwards was seen walking over to the Spurs bench to congratulate the opposition on their impending trip to the Western Conference Finals.
“I mean, at that point you know you’re not getting back in so you’re just giving them the respect they deserve. So, yeah," Edwards said after the game when asked about congratulating the Spurs despite there being so much time left on the clock.
Edwards said he tips his hat to the Spurs as they were the better team.
The final score ended up being 139-109, the second straight blowout victory for the Spurs after the Timberwolves managed to tie the series at two.
Minnesota never led again in the series after taking a 5-4 lead two minutes into the first quarter in game five.
Anthony Edwards In The Second Round
To the surprise of many, Edwards played in all six games in the second round. He suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise in game four on April 25 against the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
He was expected to miss multiple weeks, but returned nine days later, coming off the bench in game one against the Spurs.
Minnesota was able to steal game one thanks to Edwards' explosion in the fourth quarter. Minnesota took game four after Victor Wembanyama was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid in the throat, and while game three was relatively competitive, three of the four San Antonio victories came by 28+ points.
Edwards was clearly limited but still averaged 23.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three. The Spurs honed in on Edwards offensively, getting the ball out of his hands and forcing other Minnesota players to beat them.