Chris Finch Puts Anthony Edwards on Blast After Timberwolves Loss

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Chris Finch - NBA Playoffs - Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ second round playoff series vs the Golden State Warriors did not start as expected on Tuesday night. Instead of the well-rested Wolves jumping all over the exhausted Warriors at Target Center in front of a rabid home crowd, Anthony Edwards & Co came out extremely flat and fell 88-99 because of it.

With Steph Curry out expected to be out for the foreseeable future with a left hamstring strain, Minnesota fans should still feel pretty good about the Timberwolves’ chances to beat the Warriors in a seven-game series. Yes, even after how brutally they played in game one.

Chris Finch not happy with Anthony Edwards after game one

But don’t tell that to Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, who did not hold back in his post game press conference when describing his disappointment in how 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards came out in game one against Golden State.

It starts with Ant. I thought he struggled early, and then you could just kind of see the light go out for awhile. I think it was one of those games where he had a predetermined mindset in what he was trying to do, rather than just playing the game that was in front of him.

Chris Finch – Timberwolves vs Warriors (Gm 1) Postgame Press Conference

Finch acknowledged that Edwards looked better in the second half, but an empty box score wasn’t about to make the Wolves head coach feel better about what his professional baseketball eyes watched unfold Tuesday night in Minneapolis, as Timberwolves fell behind and Ant mustered just one point and missed every shot from the field.

Anthony Edwards finished game one with 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and a -4 point differential while on the court. As Finchy mentioned, he did get better in the second half.

“What is there to talk about? You’re the leader of the team. You need to come out and set the tone, always. If your shot’s not going, you still have to carry the energy. If I have to talk to guys about having the right energy coming into the opening of a second round game then we’re not on the same page, so…”

Chris Finch – Timberwolves vs Warriors (Gm 1) Postgame Press Conference

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One Loss vs Warriors

If Edwards is going to be the league’s next superstar, like his NBA prophecy predicts… then first half performances like Tuesday night cannot happen.

Minnesota Timberwolves need Ant to be Ant, going forward

But knowing Ant, he will come out in game two like a bat out of hell. I mean, just look at his face when told after game one that the Minnesota Timberwolves are 12-of-76 from deep in their last two playoff games.

If there is one thing we know about our young superstar, it’s that he is one of the most coachable talents in the NBA, which is why Chris Finch felt the need to publicly call out Edwards the way he did. Because he knows it will make him better in game two, and beyond.

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