The culture around the Minnesota Timberwolves has changed tremendously since the front office drafted Anthony Edwards No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and traded for defensive stalwart Patrick Beverley last summer.
The addition of the two has brought a new dynamic to a franchise known for its futility and recently for being soft after the infamous practice altercation between Jimmy Butler and his former teammates and the T-Wolves’ front office. Now, the Timberwolves have a new look to them, one of toughness and swag, refusing to lay down and be an easy win for any of their adversaries.
Their confidence and belief in each other led to the Timberwolves’ epic 109-104 comeback win against the Clippers to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2018. The combined 59-point effort from Edwards (30 points on 5-11 shooting from three-point territory) and D’Angelo Russell (29 points, five rebounds, six assists) helped the Timberwolves overcome a tough night from Karl-Anthony Towns who fouled out after playing just 24 minutes.
Ant is cheffin up.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 13, 2022
(via @Timberwolves) pic.twitter.com/prop8PW8Tl
”The game had to go in a different direction,” coach Chris Finch said per NBA.com. ”That’s why you have a team because a lot of other people step up.”
The Timberwolves’ comeback effort started after a Reggie Jackson triple gave the Clippers a nine-point with just nine minutes to go in the second half. However, the T-Wolves responded with a 16-2 run, taking the lead it would never relinquish on a Russell pull-up three, followed by a tomahawk slam from Edwards that punctuated their gutsy effort.
THERE IT IS pic.twitter.com/epHTOH8dwF
— x – Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 13, 2022
As the Timberwolves relished their playoff-clinching performance, the always entertaining Edwards left the media and fans with a quote that won’t be forgotten due to his memorable performance and especially due to his part in helping to change the culture in Minnesota.
”I took what the game gave me. That’s what they gave me. They were scared to guard me, and I took advantage of that,” Edwards said.
