It is nicely previous time to cease underestimating guard Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves of their first-round playoff collection towards the Los Angeles Lakers.
With 10.7 seconds left within the fourth quarter in Minnesota’s house recreation on Sunday, Edwards drilled two clutch free throws, giving the Wolves a 116-113 lead. The Lakers then drove up the court docket, establishing an open three-pointer for guard Austin Reaves, however the ball rattled out of the bucket.
With the loss, the Lakers now path the Timberwolves 3-1. In fact, it isn’t the primary time Lakers ahead LeBron James has been on this place.
In the course of the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers trailed the Golden State Warriors 3-1, however the future Corridor of Famer led a comeback, and the membership gained its solely championship.
Whereas that Warriors group featured Stephen Curry and a main Klay Thompson, it did not have a drive like Edwards.
On Sunday, he scored 43 factors on 12-of-23 taking pictures, grabbed 9 rebounds and had six assists. His stellar efficiency helped Minnesota outscore L.A. 32-19 within the fourth quarter.
James and Lakers guard Luka Doncic have performed nicely all through the collection. By 4 video games, Doncic has averaged 30.8 factors per recreation, whereas James has averaged 26.3 factors per recreation. On Sunday, Doncic and James mixed for 65 factors. However that is nonetheless not sufficient to knock off Edwards and Co.
The collection heads again to Los Angeles for Sport 5 on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. If L.A. wins that recreation, do not count on James to spur one other outstanding comeback.
Till the Lakers discover a approach to floor Edwards, they’re going to probably be eradicated from the primary spherical of the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Whereas the Lakers roster has, maybe, the 2 largest stars within the sport in James and Doncic, it appears the collection could also be Edwards’ second to shine.
