Anthony Edwards realizes that it’s now or never for Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered their game on Saturday, January 21, 2023, with a record of 23-24.  Over the next two games, the Timberwolves face one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Houston Rockets, who entered the game with a record of 10-35. The Timberwolves face the Rockets twice, one game now in the record books, and their next game in Houston as part of a two-game road trip.

And then all hell breaks loose.

January 2023 closes out with the following games:

Date        Team               Location                 Opp record
Jan 23     Rockets          Houston                 10-36
Jan 25     Pelicans         New Orleans          26-20
Jan 27     Grizzlies         Target Center         31-14
Jan 28     Kings               Target Center         26-19
Jan 30     Kings               Target Center         26-19

If the Timberwolves win three of their last five games, that is honestly saying something. But I’m not the only one who is noticing just how difficult the remaining games in January 2023 are lining up for the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s pretty clear that star shooting guard Anthony Edwards is fully aware of the Timberwolves’ struggles.

That’s why when the Minnesota Timberwolves faced the Houston Rockets, Edwards unloaded 44 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks.  Shouldn’t he hold some of that explosiveness back for future competitive opponents? Not at all.

The Timberwolves had been caught flat-footed by the Detroit Pistons twice this season, and that has not been lost on Edwards. And it’s those harsh lessons that have been unavoidable for the Timberwolves this season. In fact, even against the Houston Rockets, the Timberwolves were down by a score of 52-50.

But Anthony Edwards was in his ‘zone,’ in this one. He shot an incredible eight of 16 from the perimeter, a salvo that bested the effort of the entire roster from beyond the ard in many games. In fact, his artillery was half of the team’s three-point shots in this game.

The Timberwolves, without Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert, and with an ineffective Kyle Anderson, were unable to dominate the Rockets in the paint. So Edwards helped the Minnesota Timberwolves create turnovers, score fast-break points, and keep up the fast pace to ensure the Timberwolves would emerge with a desperately needed victory.

One win in the books. Right now, that’s exactly how the Timberwolves must play through the rest of the season. One win at a time.