The Timberwolves are on the brink of elimination after a 128-126 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. And while Minnesota kept it close, its superstar had a bit of an uncharacteristic showing in the crucial game.
Wolves All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards was held to a series-low 16 points in the loss as he again struggled with Oklahoma City's defensive scheme. Edwards started the series on a slow foot, but quickly snapped out of it by scoring 32 points in Game 2 and 30 points in Game 3.
Edwards' Game 4 showing was a reversion back to some of the issues that plagued him in Game 1, and the Thunder's defense earned the credit.
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Though the game was not Edwards' best, he did not exactly lament his numbers when speaking with the media postgame. The 23-year-old declined to categorize his uncharacteristic performance as "struggles."
Here's why.
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Anthony Edwards shrugs off 'struggles' vs. Thunder
In 41 minutes of action, Edwards scored 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. The number is particularly notable as Edwards also attempted just 13 shots in Minnesota's Game 1 loss, something he took issue with at that moment.
Six days later, however, Edwards wasn't as critical of his lack of shot attempts. Instead of categorizing his low-scoring output as a struggle, the All-Star credited OKC's game plan and maintained that he made the right play throughout the game.
"I don't look at it like I struggled, or [Julius Randle] struggled — they had a good game plan, making us get off the ball. Especially for me, man, [the defense] was super in gaps," Edwards told the media from his locker after Game 4.
"I don't look at it like I struggled... I made the right play all night... I didn't get enough shots to say I struggled... I didn't struggle at all."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 27, 2025
Anthony Edwards on his performance in the Timberwolves loss in Game 4 👀 pic.twitter.com/HaycH09cil
"I made the right play all night, so I don't really look at it like I struggled. I didn't get enough shots to say I struggled, so that might be how you guys look at it, but I didn't struggle. I made the right play."
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In addition to limiting Edwards, the Thunder's defense held Randle to five points on 1-of-7 shooting. Minnesota kept things close because of scoring contributions from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo, a trio that combined for 86 of the team's 126 points.
Their scoring was due in part to Edwards' decision-making, but the game's result is a reminder that the Wolves cannot go far if their franchise player is limited offensively.
Monday's Game 4 marked the third time this postseason that Edwards attempted fewer than 13 shots in a game — the Wolves are 1-2 in those matchups, with the lone win being a blowout of the Warriors in Game 2 of the second round.
After a slow Game 1, Edwards bounced back with an assertive performance in Game 2 of this series. The same should be expected as Minnesota looks to stave off elimination Wednesday.
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Anthony Edwards Game 4 stats vs. Thunder
Edwards' 16 points were his lowest in the series and the second-lowest of Minnesota's postseason run in 2025. He shot 5-of-13 from the field for the second time in the series, this time shooting a cold 1-of-7 from 3-point range.
- 16 points
- 4 rebounds
- 6 assists
- 5-13 (38.5%) FG
- 1-7 (14.3%) 3FG
- 5-7 (71.4%) FTs
- 5 turnovers
- 3 fouls
While the scoring was low, Edwards did dish out a team-high-tying six assists and led the team with 5.7 assists per game during the playoffs. While the assists numbers do lend themselves to Edwards making the "right play," Minnesota is at its best when its star is scoring, and OKC has reflected that with its game plan.
It is worth noting that the previous two times Edwards attempted just 13 shots this postseason, he at least doubled the attempts in the next game. That trend could very well continue in Game 5.