Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor and NBA contributor Tom Haberstroh discuss the Timberwolves’ improved clutch play this season – highlighted by Ant-Man’s most recent showing in Saturday’s win over the Thunder. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
Next on my nice list: Tom, the clutch-time Minnesota Timberwolves, because they’ve been a A lot better so far this year.
We saw Anthony Edwards, What he did on Saturday against Oklahoma City Thunder with their third loss of the year For the Thunder.
Anthony Edwards hit a big-time, Go-ahead three-pointer in the final 40 seconds of the game, Stepped back over Cason Wallace, an amazing jumper.
Gave them the lead, and then the possession after, OKC inbounding the ball.
And Anthony Edwards helped defense, blocked SGA, then kinda corralled Caruso after he grabbed an Offensive board, and then Ant stayed in the paint, ripped down a rebound over Dort, And then next play, down after two free throws by the Wolves.
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He stole the ball from SGA to clinch game.
Wolves beat the Thunder.
Third loss of the year for OKC, and Minnesota wins again.
Nine and six now in clutch time They won again against the Bucks on Sun.
Nine and six, up from 20 and 26 last year.
Last two seasons, Minnesota’s really struggled in clutch time.
Minus 8.4 net rating last year in last five Minutes when the score was within five.
Minus 13.1 the year prior.
This year, they’re plus 7.8.
Their defensive rating is a better 100, defensive rating in the final five.
I’m impressed, Tom, and I thought Saturday was kinda that.
That moment that made it pretty obvious what Minnesota’s turned into in the closing moments Of games this year: 100%.
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And the NBA needs this.
Right?
The NBA needs Anthony Edwards to be as Cinematic as he was over this weekend.
He’s as box office as it gets.
And for him to be coming up clutch against OKC, that’s…
It’s a signature moment for Anthony Edwards.
This guy wants it.
Man.
Like, I know he says he doesn’t wanna be the Face of the NBA, but you clearly can see that he has a chip on his shoulder, That he does not like OKC, and he wants people to know it.
And he takes this with immense pride.
I love watching Anthony Edwards play basketball.
But when he’s playing like this, in clutch performances, it feels like the young Generation of basketball fans, that’s their guy.
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That’s the guy they want to be taking the Mantle from LeBron, Steph, and KD.
Anthony Edwards is playing like that.
And sometimes it is those high-leverage clutch moments that really make an imprint on the Audience, and I do think this was…
This weekend was a big, Big moment for Anthony Edwards.