Chris Finch didn’t mince words after the Minnesota Timberwolves fell short in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal. Despite Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry leaving the game early with a hamstring injury, the Wolves failed to capitalize. The 99-88 loss left fans and analysts stunned, especially considering the early exit of Curry. Chris Finch turned his attention directly to Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards Responds To Chris Finch’s Criticism
“It starts with Ant,” Finch said. “I thought he struggled, and the light just went out a bit.” The Chris Finch-Anthony Edwards relationship came into focus as the head coach called on his star to raise his level.
Edwards Starts Slow, Tries to Recover
Edwards ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 27.6 points per game. But in Game 1, he looked lost. Edwards scored only one point in the first half, missing his first 10 shots. He finally saw a bucket drop late in the game, ending with 23 points on 9-for-23 shooting. The Timberwolves went into halftime trailing 44-31, a hole they never climbed out of.
Even as the Warriors built a 23-point lead, Minnesota never cut the deficit to fewer than nine in the second half. The lack of urgency troubled Finch. “You’re the leader,” he said. “You’ve got to set the tone.” The coach made it clear that he expects more from the face of the franchise.
Accountability and Leadership
Edwards didn’t run from the criticism. “They can blame me,” he said after the game. “We just didn’t play good enough.” He pointed to his defensive effort—two steals and pressure that held Golden State to 37.2% shooting in the first half—as proof he still impacted the game. But Finch didn’t want to coach effort at this point in the postseason.
Finch expects leadership, especially when things go sideways. Even if shots don’t fall, energy must remain high. “If I have to talk to guys about bringing energy for a playoff game, we’re not on the same page,” he said bluntly.
Historically Bad Shooting Night
The Timberwolves couldn’t buy a three-pointer. They went 0-for-15 from deep in the first half—something they hadn’t done since 2018. Their final tally? Just 5-for-29. According to ESPN, their 12-for-76 stretch across two games set a new low for playoff three-point shooting.
Finch also blasted the team’s transition play. “Our decision-making was diabolical,” he said. “Even with 18 Warriors turnovers, we got just 10 fast-break points.” There is so little margin for error in the playoffs. Such opportunities can’t be wasted.
Looking Ahead to Game 2
Despite the setback, veterans like Mike Conley believe in a response. “I expect us to be better,” he said. “We made mental mistakes we can fix.” Edwards also looked ahead with confidence. “Next game, we’ll shoot the ball really well,” he promised.
Chris Finch hopes that Anthony Edwards regains the form he showed in the first round. Against the Lakers, Edwards dominated. He read defenses perfectly, made clutch decisions, and controlled the tempo.
Now, the Timberwolves need that version of Edwards to return. Game 2 offers a chance to reset the tone. The Wolves will need leadership, better shooting, and above all, energy. Finch has issued the challenge. Edwards has accepted the challenge. Now, it’s up to him to walk the talk moving forward.
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