Anthony Edwards is feeling the strain of a challenging start to the season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, particularly following their recent 118-115 defeat to the Boston Celtics. The young star expressed frustration over constant double teams that limit his scoring opportunities, stating that it’s tough to stay engaged when forced to pass the ball. Edwards, who is only 23, voiced his dissatisfaction with the current dynamics of the team, especially after the offseason trade of Karl-Anthony Towns, which has negatively impacted the Timberwolves' offensive performance.
This season, Minnesota's offense has struggled significantly, ranking 20th in offensive rating and 22nd in points per game, a sharp decline from their previous season. The team’s defense, which was once a stronghold, has also slipped, now sitting at seventh in defensive rating. The hope was that newcomers Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle would fill the offensive gap left by Towns, but results have been mixed. Randle has performed decently, averaging over 20 points per game, while DiVincenzo has underperformed, particularly from beyond the arc.
As the season progresses, the pressure is mounting on the Timberwolves to adjust their strategy to better support Edwards. His scoring has dipped significantly, from an impressive 28.0 points per game early in the season to just 20.7 points in recent outings. With defenses keying in on him, it’s crucial for head coach Tom Thibodeau to find ways to create space for Edwards, particularly by maximizing DiVincenzo’s shooting potential. Currently, the Timberwolves sit eighth in the Western Conference with a 17-16 record, struggling to find consistency.
