“Keep your foot on the gas." - Leaked audio reveals Anthony Edwards’ message to Wolves after dominating Denver Nuggets in first-half
Anthony Edwards spearheaded the Minnesota Timberwolves to a dominant start in the first half of their Game 6 matchup against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, on Thursday. In a crucial elimination game, the Timberwolves exhibited a transformed performance, surging ahead 31-14 at the close of the first quarter.
Initially, the Wolves displayed vigor right from the tipoff, but faced offensive hurdles, missing four of their initial five shots. This allowed Denver to seize a 9-2 advantage within the first three minutes.
However, the Wolves swiftly regrouped following a timeout. Employing robust defense, they applied double teams on Nikola Jokic, forcing him to relinquish possession, while his teammates struggled to find their rhythm. Jamal Murray, in particular, endured a tough start, going 0-for-5 from the field.
Anthony Edwards could be heard on the bench speaking to his teammates, displaying his growing leadership:
"This is what I was talking about the other day: We get a lead and get comfortable. Keep your foot on the gas."
Subsequently, the Timberwolves found their shooting touch, igniting a burst of gameplay absent in their previous three outings. Embarking on a 20-point spree, they surged ahead by as much as 18 points, ultimately concluding the quarter with a commanding 17-point lead. Anthony Edwards spearheaded the offensive charge, tallying 14 points with proficiency both inside and outside the paint.
Anthony Edwards endures scary fall in Game 6
In the third quarter, the Timberwolves encountered a moment of concern when Anthony Edwards appeared to sustain an injury following a hard fall during a drive attempt. However, displaying resilience, Edwards shrugged off the injury, remained in the game and contributed to the Wolves' commanding 86-61 lead by the quarter's end.
With Minnesota holding a 66-42 advantage, Edwards aggressively drove to the basket but missed a layup attempt, drawing a foul from Michael Porter Jr. Edwards remained on the court, momentarily immobilized, as teammates gathered around him. Eventually, he rose to his feet and made his way back to the bench, albeit slowly, during a timeout.
Upon his return to the floor, Edwards proceeded to take his free throws, converting one of two attempts. Despite displaying signs of discomfort, he resumed his defensive duties, albeit with slightly reduced offensive aggression.
Notably, for the Wolves, other players stepped up to fill the void. Jaden McDaniels notably contributed eight points in the third quarter, eventually reaching a total of 21 by the quarter's conclusion. Edwards showcased glimpses of his usual self, notably executing a turnaround jumper from the right elbow against Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Throughout the third quarter, the Nuggets struggled to find their shooting rhythm, while the Wolves maintained their tenacious defensive pressure. Notably, Jamal Murray endured a challenging shooting night, going 4-for-18 from the field through three quarters.