Anthony Edwards, a guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, observed early in the third quarter that the Phoenix Suns had changed up their defensive, primarily playing him one-on-one rather than the double-teams he had seen in the first half.
If you want to win, you've got to defeat us, Edwards remarked. "And I showed them."
The Timberwolves swept the first-round playoff series against the Suns on Sunday night, 122-116, thanks to a second-half surge that saw Karl-Anthony Towns add 28 points and Jerome Edwards score 31 of his 40 points.
The 19-season drought between playoff series victories was matched for third-longest in NBA history by the Timberwolves.
Including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc, Edwards shot 13-of-23 from the field. With 2:14 remaining in the game, the 22-year-old put Minnesota up 115-111 with a strong one-handed jam.
"We've seen him mature, progress as a leader, a player, and a person," Wolves center Rudy Gobert remarked. "It's been fun."
Despite receiving 49 points from Devin Booker (13 for-21 shooting), the Wolves were able to defeat the Suns. Plus, he converted 20 of 21 free throws.
Despite Kevin Durant's 33 points, Phoenix's other players had a tough time performing.
Select Red Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against CanadiensRed Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against Canadiens