On Thursday in Indianapolis — Minnesota’s first game without injured big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee — the Timberwolves were led by an incredible performance from Anthony Edwards, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
The fourth-year guard put up 44 points (on 18-of-35 shooting), six rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and zero turnovers in the two-point victory. He also had a gravity-defying block to seal the game, hitting his head on the rim in the process (Twitter video link via the Wolves).
“I ain’t never jumped that high in my life,” Edwards said.
The 22-year-old wing will be even more vital to Minnesota’s playoff chances with Towns’ return timeline clouded by the surgery.
“We know that’s how he’s wired. He likes that. He wants that. He’s not afraid of that,” head coach Chris Finch said, per Krawczynski. “Then it’s all about making the right plays and making shots along the way. He did both tonight.”
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- Veteran point guard Mike Conley tells Hanif Abdurraqib of ESPN that he’s been working with Edwards to improve the 22-year-old’s leadership. “There’s always some challenges,” Conley stresses. “Just due to our age differences, there are some ways I’m not going to relate. Some things that once worked for me aren’t going to work for Ant. And so I’ve had to learn personalities, learn what buttons to press, how to get across to everyone, and how to communicate. Ant has been receptive, he’s been open to improving on the court, and it has been smooth.” Conley also discussed his new two-year extension, the possibility of finishing his career in Minnesota, and the city’s enthusiasm for the team’s success, which reminds him of his time in Memphis.
- It appeared as though Towns was finally settling into an ideal role with Minnesota before tearing his meniscus, according to Seerat Sohi of The Ringer, who says the Wolves will have to figure out ways to evolve without their four-time All-Star. Sohi suggests the team will need its wings to defend bigger players than they have been for much of the season, and a more aggressive defensive scheme could be utilized with the 7’0″ forward/center on the shelf.
- La Velle E. Neale III of The Star Tribune argues the Wolves will still be successful without Towns — at least for the rest of the regular season — because the former No. 1 pick isn’t among their three most valuable players. Neale says Minnesota’s “true top three” is led by Edwards, Conley, and Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Rudy Gobert.