![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NBA-Minnesota-Timberwolves-at-Memphis-Grizzlies-28132665-scaled-e1769922915380.jpg\")
Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to Memphis<\/a> for a tilt against the undermanned Grizzlies on Saturday night. Tuomas lisalo\u2019s team was down quite a few of his regulars, including potential Wolves trade target Ja Morant<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chris Finch\u2019s team was 7.5 point favorites<\/a> on the road, and that\u2019s a line they should have had no problem covering. While they were up nine points at halftime, they played Memphis dead even in the second quarter.<\/p>\n It could have been a second-half off night for Anthony Edwards and a few other stars had they got out to a more sizable lead. Instead, the head coach had to light a fire under their ass.<\/p>\n Minnesota Timberwolves force Chris Finch anger<\/p>\n The Minnesota Timberwolves wound up winning by 17 points, with a final score of 131-114<\/a>. Edwards though, played 39 minutes<\/a>, and was joined at 30-plus by teammates Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid. He spoke with Dane Moore postgame<\/a> about needing to keep the intensity no matter who the opponent is, and goal off earning time off in the second half\u2026<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards said Chris Finch got into the team at halftime and after the game. Ant said, “yeah, he wasn’t happy about this win at all”.<\/p>\n Asked Edwards about the Wolves’ pattern of needing Finch to get into them for the energy and effort to be there against lesser opponents.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/usH7qLgqij<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 1, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cNights like this, it\u2019s super hard to find the, not the why, but the energy to put behind it on every play\u2026 [Finch] not satisfied with that, and we shouldn\u2019t be either. He said somethin like, I\u2019m not gonna let up on y\u2019all. If we bullshit on games like this, I\u2019m gonna be on y\u2019all ass until y\u2019all stop bullshitting. And I told [Jaden McDaniels], he 100% right. Because we coulda played the first 24 minutes hard as shit and been up 30 points and, who knows, maybe not played the 2nd half. And I said, maybe we can shut his ass up that way, if we just come out and play the way he want us to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards<\/a><\/p>\n The Memphis Grizzlies are just 18-29 with no hopes of making any type of noise this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves are involved in trade talks around the league<\/a>, and looking to finally grab a title after two-straight Western Conference Finals appearances.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understandable that it\u2019s hard for Ant and his teammates to get energized to play against a bottom-feeder, or injury-ridden team. With that being said, the results still matter and Minnesota is just fifth in the packed Western Conference standings<\/a>.<\/p>\n early bag work for \u00c6. \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8 pic.twitter.com\/Pe5cHRNqfc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 1, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Edwards wound up finishing with 33 points on just 9-of-21 shooting. He was only 1-of-6 from deep, and despite his plus-18, it\u2019s unlikely that tonight is one that he\u2019s proud of.<\/p>\n Chris Finch needs MN Timberwolves to lock in<\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s drive, or lack thereof, has been problematic for some time now. It was even worth wondering if Chris Finch wasn\u2019t holding the Timberwolves back<\/a> during the playoffs last season. However, it at least seems like Anthony Edwards and the rest of the team are hearing the message from Finch.<\/p>\n The Minnesota Timberwolves play Memphis again<\/a> on Monday night. They have just two games left until the trade deadline, and six on the chedule until the All-Star Break. After that, things start to get real.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a franchise that can ever afford to get complacent. They can play with, and beat anyone on a nightly basis with Edwards and the rest of the roster. If they aren\u2019t going to show up though, they can get embarrassed just as easily. It\u2019s pretty clear that Chris Finch is sick of those clunker performances, and he\u2019s doing his best to avoid them. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Anthony Edwards<\/a> Chris Finch<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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