Edwards Not Shy About Speaking Up During Game
Anthony Edwards is definitely not one to hold back his thoughts, even when that means disagreeing with his coach.
During a recent game, the Timberwolves’ star guard was seen chatting with Minnesota’s coach, Chris Finch, right after hitting a crucial 3-pointer with just 42.9 seconds remaining, which pushed the team into a four-point lead and ultimately secured a 94-88 win.
“That’s my job,” Edwards exclaimed at Finch following the contested shot from the left corner.
Interestingly, Edwards mentioned that his emotions were influenced by something Finch had said in a timeout just before that play.
“On the last play, when I got past two defenders and pulled up for a mid-range shot, (Finch) told me to pass it. I told him, ‘I don’t want you to pass; I want you to shoot,'” Edwards reflected after the game.
Following this victory, Minnesota has moved up to the No. 5 seed, now positioned in fourth place, just half a game behind the Nuggets.
Edwards racked up an impressive 31 points, alongside five assists and three rebounds, shooting 12-of-24 for the night.
“Honestly, my relationship with my coach is amazing. I mean, most of the time, he’s spot on—98 percent of the time,” Edwards acknowledged. “He told me to pass the ball tonight and, well, maybe I should’ve, but I went for the shot instead, and thankfully, it went in. I guess the basketball gods were looking out for me tonight.”
This season is sure to test the bond between Edwards and Finch, especially given some earlier tension. Finch publicly addressed Edwards’ reaction after he left the court early in a 126-102 loss against the Hawks, a team he felt the Timberwolves shouldn’t have struggled against.
“Clearly, he’s frustrated with how he played, and that’s understandable, but he needs to be there for his teammates,” Finch commented.
Moving forward, Finch addressed the team by noting they can sometimes be “stubborn” during crucial moments, referencing their performance during a particularly rough patch in a game against the Bulls.
“They can be stubborn by nature, and that’s part of what makes them great. Sometimes, you have to shake things up to get their attention, and when you play poorly, like we did in Atlanta, it definitely gets everyone’s notice,” Finch explained.
With 18 games remaining in the regular season, the Timberwolves are gearing up for the playoffs, which start on April 12th.
