Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Misses Key Free Throws in Loss to Thunder
Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards missed three critical free throws in the waning moments of their game against the OKC Thunder on Saturday evening, costing his team a potential win. The game ended with the Thunder prevailing 102-97.
The missed free throws came with the Timberwolves trailing by three points, 100-97, with just 3.4 seconds left on the game clock. Edwards, also known as ‘Ant-Man’, had the opportunity to tie the game and force overtime after being fouled while attempting a three-pointer. However, the 22-year-old former top overall pick failed to capitalize on the opportunity, clanking his first two free throws and then intentionally missing the third. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, they were unable to secure the rebound and ultimately suffered the defeat.
Fans took to social media, particularly Twitter, to express their thoughts and reactions to Edwards’ misfiring. Some of the comments from fans included calling him out for not having the composure of a player like Kobe Bryant, likening him to the struggles of Ben Simmons at the free-throw line, and even comparing his performance to that of Devin Booker.
In the aftermath of the game, Minnesota beat reporter Chris Hine shared Edwards’ response to his missed free throws, stating that the young star shrugged it off and vowed to make up for it in the future. Edwards was quoted as saying, “Make them, miss them, I wasn’t really disappointed in that. Either I was going to make them or miss them, it don’t really matter. I missed them tonight, but I’ll make them next time.”
Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Timberwolves remain one of the top teams in the Western Conference, leading with a 30-12 win-loss record. They will look to bounce back in their next game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
It was particularly surprising to see Edwards struggle at the free-throw line given his solid season performance, averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, along with an 83.8% free-throw shooting percentage. The loss to the Thunder ended the Timberwolves’ previously four-game winning streak, but they still remain in a strong position in the Western Conference standings.
The upcoming game against the Hornets will provide an opportunity for Edwards and the Timberwolves to put the disappointing loss behind them and refocus on their goal of contending in the competitive Western Conference. Despite the setback, the team’s confidence and determination to succeed remain high as they look forward to the remainder of the season.
As the Timberwolves continue their journey through the NBA season, all eyes will be on Edwards and his ability to bounce back from the missed free throws and lead his team to further success. The young star’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity will be tested, but his potential to make a significant impact for the Timberwolves remains unquestionable. It will be exciting to see how Edwards and the Timberwolves respond in their upcoming games and how they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.
