Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards highlights major difference after Victor Wembanyama’s ejection in Game 4 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves evened up their second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs after holding on for the close victory, 114-109, in Game 4 at Target Center on Sunday.
The Spurs kept in step with the Timberwolves in the second half despite missing Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected in the second quarter for elbowing Naz Reid in the neck.
Wembanyama, who was ejected for the first time, finished with four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes.
It goes without saying that the Spurs could have used Wembanyama since he could easily dominate on both ends, as he proved in Game 3.
Edwards, however, claimed that San Antonio was a tougher cover without the Defensive Player of the Year, as shown in the video posted by ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
“Honestly, I think it was kind of harder. I mean, of course, they’re a really great team with him on the floor, but they play a lot slower when he’s on the court because everything revolves around him,” said Edwards.
“It’s just like when every team misses their best player, everybody plays free, they get more shots, (they get) more confident. I think it was a lot harder on us.”
The 24-year-old Edwards finished with a game-high 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, six rebounds, and two assists. He shot 13-of-22 from the field.
He acknowledged that not having Wembanyama guarding the rim was a major difference.
“Everybody going to the rim will be a lot more open when he’s not on the floor. But offensively, they play a lot more loosely when he’s on the floor. But yeah, he’s eight feet tall, he’s gonna cover up the rim every time he’s on the floor,” added the four-time All-Star.
Edwards, meanwhile, had a fiery message for Dylan Harper, who was tasked with shadowing him.
Game 5 returns to San Antonio on Tuesday.
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