Critics Drive Wolves' Momentum in Lakers Showdown, According to Anthony Edwards
Ready to witness a showdown? Tonight's the night the Timberwolves aim to seal the deal in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Lakers, owning a 3-1 lead against the odds. The Minnesota crew concurs the team's been invigorated, as they've been labeled underdogs since inception.
Even coach Chris Finch acknowledged that star Anthony Edwards has been yearning to turn the tables on critics. Since Game 1, the All-Star guard voiced his opinions on the expectations surrounding the matchup. "The Lakers were supposed to win, that's just how it's supposed to be," he said last week. "We're not supposed to be here."
Three games down the line, the sixth-seeded Wolves are in the driver's seat, with Edwards dropping 43 points in Sunday's 116-133 win against Los Angeles. Coach Finch isn't taken aback by the young star's response to fan and expert skepticism. .
"I've known Edwards long enough to realize that doubting him isn't a strategic move," he said after practice on Tuesday. "He constantly wants to prove you wrong, and sometimes he’ll figure things out faster than you think. He's got a sixth sense for the moment."
While the Lakers have been perceived as contenders, led by Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers have shouldered the weight of expectations. "We were aware of what everyone was saying, and our team thrives when they've got a chip on their shoulder," the tactician declared. "And so we just had to instill that chip on our shoulder."
Ally Mike Conley echoes the sentiment. "Our motivation stems from skepticism outside of our team," the guard shared. "Like Edwards said, we weren't selected to win this thing. We weren't predicted to achieve anything in the postseason. So, when we step onto the court tomorrow, that's what we'll have in mind."
Conley then praised Edwards' progress as a leader this season. "Having that type of leadership and that degree of awareness to express those sentiments at his age is significant," Conley stated. "I believe it provided us a solid foundation for the postseason."
In the 2025 playoffs, Edwards' motivation and leadership have had a significant impact on the Timberwolves, particularly against the Lakers. His heightened motivation and emotional engagement on the court have boosted his team's energy and performance. From challenging LeBron James head-on to inspiring teammates with his high-level play, Edwards' unyielding spirit has fueled important victories [2]. His emotional investment in games propels his team, embodying the underdog spirit they've carried throughout the series [3].
- Tonight, the Timberwolves' guard Anthony Edwards, who has been yearning to turn the tables on critics, aims to continue his impressive performance against the Lakers in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
- In the sports-analysis of this NBA series, the focus has been on Edwards' renewed motivation and leadership, which has been instrumental in the sixth-seeded Timberwolves' success, particularly their 116-133 win against the Lakers in Game 4.
- Coach Chris Finch believes that Edwards' constant desire to prove his doubters wrong, and his sixth sense for the moment, will play a crucial role in the Timberwolves' quest to secure a spot in the next round.
- Mike Conley, another guard for the Timberwolves, agrees with Finch, stating that the team draws motivation from the skepticism they've faced, especially since they weren't predicted to achieve anything in the postseason.
- As the Timberwolves and Lakers prepare for Game 5, Edwards' emotional investment in the games is evident, as he continually seeks to challenge LeBron James and inspire his teammates with his high-level play, embodying the underdog spirit they've carried throughout the series.
