The Minnesota Timberwolves are inching closer to the playoffs, and they have a big task ahead of them. The Wolves have proven time after time this season that they have the talent to compete with the very best, but consistency problems loom large. This team is an enigma at times, hanging with and defeating some of the top contenders in the league but then struggling to produce at the same level against inferior foes.
Which version of Minnesota will we get over the course of the final three weeks of the regular season? Will we get the one that won 13 games in a row while Julius Randle was available? Or will we get the one that dropped two straight contests to the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans in the last week, both at home? The answer to that question will determine how far this team goes. If the former shows up, the Timberwolves could easily be on their way back to the Western Conference Finals. If the latter shows up, they could be a first-round exit.
One big factor that will determine which version of this team we ultimately get is the play of Anthony Edwards. Obviously, Edwards has put together a stunning season from a big picture perspective. He is putting up his highest points per game average and has taken a massive step forward as a three-point shooter. Statistically, he is in the conversation for best three-point shooter in the association this season. But there are other areas where Ant's play remains a bit concerning.
Ant has been one of the elite 3 pt shooters this year
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) March 20, 2025
Everywhere else has not been great
In restricted area: 61% -- 47th out of 51 players w 230+ att
In paint, non-RA: 40.1% -- 39th out of 41 players with 200+ att
In mid-range: 36.2%, 52nd out of 52 of players with 100+ att
Outside of three-point shooting, Ant has struggled
As the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Jace Frederick pointed out, Edwards has left something to be desired with his shooting percentages from nearly every area of the floor inside the three-point arc this season. In the restricted area closest to the basket, he is shooting 61%, which ranks 47th out of the 51 players with at least 230 attempts. In the non-restricted area in the paint, he registers a 40.1% shooting mark, which ranks 39th out of 41 players. And when shooting the mid-range, Edwards has just 36.2% efficiency, ranking dead last out of the 52 players attempting at least 100 this season.
Clearly, Ant's shot diet has changed. He is attempting far more three-pointers this season than he has in any year prior. As a result, he is also attempting the least two-point shot attempts since his second year in the league. This change may be contributing to his significantly lower shooting percentages and overall struggles from so many areas on the floor.
Adjusting to a changing offense that needed to incorporate Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo certainly did not make life easier for Edwards either. It is understandable why he may not be as comfortable as he was in years past, but that does not make these numbers any less worrying. The Timberwolves need Ant feeling comfortable and at his best offensively to have a chance at winning a championship this season. If he continues to struggle shooting the ball and finishing drives, it will significantly diminish Minnesota's title hopes.