Anthony Edwards played the long game and got his revenge on Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Edwards was a key player in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ thrilling Game 7 victory on Sunday and revealed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that Murray’s trash talk a year ago served as motivation.
According to McMenamin, Murray encountered several Timberwolves players at a bar after Denver’s first-round win over Minnesota in the 2023 playoffs and began talking trash to the upstart Wolves.
“He was talking s–t,” Edwards said. “He was telling Mike [Conley], ‘I’m sick of you, you can’t guard me,’ and all that. I told him, ‘We’ll be back. You’ll see us again when we’re fully loaded.'”
Edwards’ words rang true Sunday night as the Timberwolves stormed back from a 20-point deficit in the second half to shock the defending champs. The All-Star guard finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite a game-high 35 points from Murray and 34 from Nikola Jokić, the Denver supporting cast faltered. No other player scored more than seven points, and the Nuggets’ two stars were visibly exhausted by the end of the game as Minnesota’s team-wide effort overwhelmed them.
“It shows who we are,” Edwards said. “Once we really lock in on the defensive end, man, we’re a hell of a team to beat.”
The Timberwolves’ victory propels them to their first conference finals in 20 years and only their second in franchise history. They will face the Dallas Mavericks, who knocked out the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Round 2.
The Timberwolves’ journey to this point has been marked by resilience and determination. Edwards, still early in his career, has quickly become a cornerstone of the franchise. His leadership and poise under pressure were evident in the comeback against Denver.
Reflecting on the past year, Edwards acknowledged that Murray’s words had stuck with him and his teammates. The Timberwolves used the slight as fuel, channeling their frustration into focused energy on the court.
Minnesota’s defensive prowess, which Edwards highlighted, was crucial in their Game 7 win. They clamped down on Denver’s role players, forcing Murray and Jokić to carry an unsustainable load. This strategy paid off, as the Nuggets’ stars wore down in the final moments.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves face a tough challenge in the Dallas Mavericks. Led by Luka Dončić, Dallas is a formidable opponent with a dynamic offense. However, Minnesota’s confidence is soaring, and their recent performance suggests they are peaking at the right time.
As the Timberwolves prepare for the Western Conference Finals, Edwards’ promise to Jamal Murray stands fulfilled. The young guard has shown that he and his team can rise to the occasion, turning past grievances into triumphs. For Minnesota, the journey is far from over, but the belief in their potential has never been stronger.
