Timberwolves are wasting Anthony Edwards’ massive area of growth

Throughout his career, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has struggled in clutch time play. However, Edwards has blossomed into one of the league's best clutch time players. Notably, before this season, Edwards had never shot higher than 43 percent from the field in clutch time minutes; this year, though, he is shooting an absurd 69.4 percent from the field in the clutch.

No other player with at least two clutch time field goal attempts can match this elite shooting percentage. Unfortunately, this seismic leap from Edwards hasn't translated to winning for the Wolves, as they are just 7-5 in clutch time games that Ant has played in. They are just 9-7 in overall clutch games.

Thursday's 142-138 overtime loss against the Denver Nuggets is a prime example of the Wolves not being able to capitalize on Edwards' clutch time brilliance. Edwards scored 24 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a corner 3-pointer to force overtime.

I'll admit there are a lot of factors at play. Nikola Jokic poured in 24 points in the fourth quarter in overtime as well. The Wolves also dug themselves into a 15-point deficit but came back with six minutes left. Minnesota's inability to play defense without Rudy Gobert is another key season-long problem. Nevertheless, not being able to capitalize on Edwards' greatness is unfortunate and not a new story for the Wolves.

Anthony Edwards' greatness isn't enough for the Wolves to consistently close games

In addition to his clutch time growth, Edwards is having his best all-around season, averaging a career-high 29.4 points.

On one hand, the Wolves getting this stellar production out of Edwards is an undeniable benefit. At the same time, if they can't take advantage of this incredible play, that is a concern. In Edwards' six 40-point games of the season, Minnesota is just 2-4. Additionally, in one of these games, Edwards played every second of the fourth quarter and overtime to top the lowly New Orleans Pelicans.

Minnesota's offensive rating drops from 118.3 overall to 111.3 in the clutch. Ironically, though, this is the Wolves' best clutch time net rating in the Edwards era, which is largely due to Ant's leap as a clutch time player. However, no matter how great Edwards is, it doesn't matter for the Wolves overall.

The Wolves have found few sources of dependable offense in the clutch outside of Edwards. Julius Randle (33.3 percent from the field) and Donte DiVincenzo (35.3 percent) are the Wolves' next two shot takers in the clutch.

I'd like to see Jaden McDaniels, who is one of the few efficient sources of clutch time offense (53.8 percent from the field), get involved more. Regardless, the Wolves need to figure out their clutch time offense outside of Ant, or it will hurt them in a big way.

On the bright side, Edwards' growth as a clutch time scorer is remarkable, and if they can find more consistency outside of him (which is possible), the Wolves could become a truly elite clutch time team.