Anthony Edwards-inspired Minnesota Timberwolves beat champions Denver Nuggets in Western Conference semi-final opener
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 05/05/2024 at 09:24 GMT+1
Anthony Edwards starred with a record-breaking performance as he scored 43 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ opening semi-final win over defending champions Denver Nuggets. Edwards posted a playoff career-high and franchise postseason record in the win. “The whole team, we trust each other,” Edwards said. Game two takes place on Monday as both teams bid to reach the championship final.
NBA Fast Break - Mavs see off Clippers as Magic peg back Cavs
Video credit: TNT Sports
A dominant Anthony Edwards performance helped the Minnesota Timberwolves kick off the NBA Western Conference semi-finals with a victory over defending champions the Denver Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets were beaten 106-99 at the Ball Arena in Denver, as Edwards dominated with a playoff career-high and franchise postseason-record 43 points.
It was his third career playoff game of 40 or more points as Edwards set a new record for the Timberwolves.
“The whole team, we trust each other,” Edwards said after the game. “It doesn't matter down the stretch who takes the shot.”
Despite foul trouble, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 20 points, while Naz Reid chipped in with 16 points off the bench, scoring 14 of them in the fourth quarter.
Following a dominant 25-point first half from Edwards, Reid made the difference in the latter stages to help the Timberwolves over the line for a vital win over the holders.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/05/04/3961322-80421148-2560-1440.jpg)
Irving stars among Top Plays in latest NBA playoff action
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mike Conley Jr added 14 points and 10 assists and was full of praise for team-mate Edwards after the game.
“I’m proud of the way he’s accepted the kind of growth he needed to have to be where he is,” said Conley. “It’s not easy for a 22, 23-year-old to make that adjustment so quickly.”
Reid added: “When he [Edwards] draws three people, he makes the right play all the time.
“I've seen him grow from day one to where he is — a superstar in the making, if he's not now.”
Two-time MVP Jokic put together 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists but also had seven turnovers and said his team “needed to do a better job of making them make tough shots”.
Jamal Murray was the star in the Nuggets’ round-one victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and after a scoreless first half, scored 17 points for Denver as he finished six of 14 from the floor.
The Nuggets have work to do if they are to overcome the Timberwolves and reach the championship final for the chance to defend their NBA crown.
They will have the chance to bounce back in front of a home crowd on Monday night in game two.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Share this article
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement