Thunder Face Uphill Battle to Contain Anthony Edwards in Western Conference Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s defence, renowned for its prowess in the league, will be put to the test once again as they face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star player, Anthony Edwards, in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder, having successfully navigated the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić in the previous round, now find themselves confronting a different individual threat in Edwards.
According to Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s coach, "I think in the Denver series, as good as we defended Jokić at times, he had a pair of 40-point games. When you’re playing against these really good players you’re not just holding them down." This sentiment is echoed by Alex Caruso, a Thunder guard, who notes that "These All-NBA, All-Star players, not one person is going to shut them down for the game. We have to make sure we’re early, in the spots we’re supposed to be, and stay anticipatory."
Edwards, a versatile and dynamic player, has been instrumental in the Timberwolves’ success, particularly in their blowout Game 3 win, where he scored 30 points to lead his team to a 143-101 victory. As reported by NBA.com, Edwards’s ability to dominate games has been a key factor in the Timberwolves’ offence, and the Thunder will need to devise a strategy to limit his impact.
The Thunder’s defensive approach against Edwards will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. As NBA.com highlights, the Thunder have several options to consider, including playing him straight up with Lu Dort, weaving in Alex Caruso as much as possible, forcing Edwards to pass, and keeping him from attacking the rim.
Playing Edwards straight up with Dort may be the most logical plan, given Dort’s experience and physicality. However, Edwards’s ability to score from various spots on the court, including beyond the arc, makes him a challenging matchup. As NBA.com notes, Edwards has developed a taste for volume deep shooting this season, which has increased his arsenal.
The Thunder’s acquisition of Caruso last summer was, in part, to prepare for a potential matchup with Edwards. Caruso’s defensive prowess will be essential in trying to contain Edwards, and the Thunder may look to use a combination of both Dort and Caruso to try and limit Edwards’s scoring opportunities.
Forcing Edwards to pass may also be an effective strategy, as his teammates, such as Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle, are less threatening. As NBA.com reports, Daigneault believes that the Thunder will need to make decisions on whether to stick with their current strategy or adjust, depending on Edwards’s performance.
Ultimately, the Thunder’s ability to contain Edwards will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series. With Edwards’s scoring highs of 43 points and lows of 15, the Thunder will need to be prepared for a wild swing in his performance. As Daigneault notes, "He plays with great tempo and force. His shot-making was excellent. We did a great job on him in Game 1, a pretty good job in Game 2; he had 32 points, but we made him work hard and he took 26 shots."
The Timberwolves, coming off a dominant victory, will look to Edwards to continue his high level of play. With Edwards’s confidence and motivation, the Thunder will face a significant challenge in trying to slow him down. As NBA.com concludes, the Thunder’s defensive strategy will be put to the test as they try to contain Edwards and stay alive in the series.
In related news, the Timberwolves are looking to make a deep playoff run, and Edwards’s performance will be crucial in their success. The team’s offence, which has been powered by Edwards’s scoring, will need to continue to click for them to advance to the NBA Finals.
The Western Conference Finals series between the Thunder and Timberwolves is set to continue, with Game 4 scheduled for Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
