MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a standout performance, claiming a crucial 117-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. This win leveled their Western Conference semifinals series at one game apiece and marked what guard Anthony Edwards dubbed “the biggest game of our career.”
Edwards entered the contest already nursing a sore left ankle, a remnant from his previous injury in the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, things took a turn for the worse when he reinjured the ankle during the second quarter. A shot block by Golden State’s Trayce Jackson-Davis sent Edwards tumbling to the floor. As Jackson-Davis landed, his momentum inadvertently caught Edwards’ ankle, leaving the young star in visible pain.
With the Timberwolves leading 37-19, the game was paused as center Rudy Gobert committed a foul to halt play. Edwards, struggling on the court, was aided off by the team’s medical staff and did not return to the bench, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the game.
Head coach Chris Finch expressed his worries after the match, admitting he anticipated not seeing Edwards again that night. Fortunately, despite the setback, the Timberwolves managed to maintain their lead, with Golden State only narrowing the deficit by a single point by halftime.
In the locker room, Minnesota’s vice president of medical operations, David Hines, assessed Edwards’ injury. Hines worked with the guard on various rehabilitation techniques, assuring him that he could return if he felt stable enough. Edwards emerged from the treatment session to continue his stellar performance, scoring 13 points in the second half and collecting nine rebounds overall.
His grit and determination were evident as he tallied five assists, three steals, and blocked a shot, finishing with a notable game-high plus-minus of plus-21 in 34 minutes. His teammates praised his toughness, with forward Josh Minott playfully labeling Edwards as having an “immortal ankle.” Julius Randle, who led the team with 24 points, likened Edwards’ resilience to that of popular superhero characters, emphasizing his ability to bounce back after setbacks.
Edwards’ tenacity was further acknowledged by his teammate Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who highlighted the guard’s refusal to sit out, maintaining that he always finds a way to rise to the occasion. Edwards himself, however, was self-critical postgame, recognizing areas for improvement, particularly regarding his finishing ability around the rim.
Acknowledging his struggles during the game, Edwards noted that he needs to concentrate on his scoring techniques rather than solely relying on his three-point shooting. With Game 3 looming in San Francisco, where the Wolves aim to capitalize on Golden State’s vulnerabilities—particularly the absence of star player Stephen Curry due to injury—Edwards affirmed his commitment to being ready for the next challenge.
“This one was crazy,” he reflected on the sprained ankle. “But I’ll be all right.” The Timberwolves now look ahead, eager to build on this momentum and seize an early advantage in the series.