To point guard Mike Conley, there’s a shift in how Edwards is thinking about the game in these situations in camp — from how can Edwards get a good shot for himself to how can he set up an open shot for the team, regardless of who takes it.
“His command of the offense is something that has been the journey for him, his understanding what works for our team,” Conley said. “Not necessarily what always works for himself, individually. So late game, you’re going to have the ball, you got to have three or four different simple plays, or different things that you can get to different actions that can make our offense run smoother, or you get a good look, or somebody else get a good shot. Those are things that I’m seeing him be more vocal on.”
“… I think before he would just hoop and be amazing the way that he plays the game, but him thinking the game more is going to help our late-game offense.”
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams in game four of the NBA Western Conference Final playoff series on May 26, 2025, at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Finch wants to vary what the Wolves do late in games, which means playing through Julius Randle more in the clutch, given Randle’s playmaking ability. He also mentioned using more Conley-Rudy Gobert pick and roll action in those moments. That’s been a staple of the Wolves offense whenever they may need to generate a quick shot throughout a game, but not something they turn to often in the clutch.
“[We’re] leaning on the things in the past that paid dividends for us,” Finch said.
Finch also said the team has to work on its clock management and the best way to optimize two-for-one situations late in quarters. They could also work better on how to handle the swings of a game in the final minutes.