Anthony Edwards struggled in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals as the Oklahoma City Thunder won 128-126.
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a statement in Game 3 with a 42-point victory, so momentum was in their favor heading into the latest contest.
Anthony Edwards dropped 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in 30 minutes on that occasion, but he failed to reproduce that on Monday night.
The 23-year-old scored just 16 points in Game 4, which was probably the difference between the Timberwolves winning and losing.
Power forward Chet Holmgren later explained how the Thunder tried to slow Edwards down while also paying attention to his teammates.
Chet Holmgren reveals OKC Thunder strategy vs Anthony Edwards
Holmgren was asked how the Thunder limited Edwards’ offensive production in his post-game press conference.
He made the clear point that the team’s strategy is not simply to stop Edwards, as that would allow his teammates to flourish instead.
Holmgren maintained that, while Edwards is the priority, the Thunder are determined to succeed on both fronts, which only the very best defenses can do.
“I don’t think you’re ever comfortable giving up open shots to anybody,” he said. “This is a good team. They’re in the Western Conference Finals for a reason. You don’t just give anybody open shots.
“Obviously, through the course of the game, it’s hard to play a perfect game. So, there were guys who got looks that we feel like we can make tougher.
“But, when there’s a really good player who you know, they’re trying to get free, if you let that guy get free, you’re not going to be in the Western Conference Finals. We didn’t do a good job of that last game, so we had to be better and find ways to make things tough on him.
“Nobody would get up here and lie, and say, ‘No, we’re not trying to make it tough on him.’ He’s a good player, so we’ve got to continue to do that, but it can’t be at the expense of making it easy on other players. We’ve got to do both.”
After winning Game 3 and keeping their NBA Finals hopes alive, the Timberwolves had confidence going into Game 4 on Monday.
The crowd created an intense atmosphere, where star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came under scrutiny throughout.
However, the Canadian did not feel the heat as he almost put up a 40-point triple-double in the Thunder’s important victory.
“It’s super fun,” Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on being the “road villain” at the Target Center. “It’s more fun than… I don’t know about more fun, but it’s pretty up there with being at home.
“The whole building is against you, chanting whatever and screaming whatever, and it’s your job to go out there and play basketball and shut them up. It’s definitely fun. It definitely adds more to the game. I enjoy it for sure.”
