The sacrifice of Anthony Edwards to push his Timberwolves forward

Minnesota Timberwolves is undergoing a significant tactical transformation, and at the heart of that change is Anthony Edwards, who is increasingly assuming the role of the team's point guard. The modification is not minor: Minnesota is moving away from the traditional concept of a pure playmaker, and Edwards' rise as the primary ball-handler has become a necessity within the system.

The shift became evident in the 111-105 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Edwards once again carried a large part of the offensive load: 31 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Beyond the numbers, the news was confirmed directly by Chris Finch ahead of the Western Conference finals rematch.

"Anthony is probably more our point guard than Donte our point guard," acknowledged Finch. "He has the ball. He is our primary playmaker."

Although Donte DiVincenzo retains the starting point guard label, the team's actual operation is being shaped around Edwards. The player himself admits that he is still in the process of adaptation. In the final minutes against OKC, he again faced difficulties in decision-making, including a key play where he couldn't free himself to receive a pass from the wing.

"I have to get used to being a point guard, to ask for the ball at the end, to bring it up even if they pressure," he explained. "Sometimes I think: 'Let someone else bring it up and then I'll go get it.' But if I want to relieve pressure on my teammates, I have to be the one to start it all."

Mike Conley is no longer the same

The situation also responds to a structural problem: Minnesota lacks a reliable point guard. Mike Conley, at 38 years old, cannot sustain the pace required for the position. Against the Thunder, he shot 1 for 4, and the Wolves were outscored by 17 points in the 12:32 he was on the court. On the other hand, Rob Dillingham, at only 20 years old, is not yet ready to take on greater responsibilities. This lack of alternatives is pushing the team to explore the trade market more aggressively.

Meanwhile, Edwards continues to elevate his production: he has scored 41, 43, and 31 points in his past three games, demonstrating that he can assume the dual role of scorer and playmaker. Finch highlighted that his star is handling double teams better compared to last season, though he acknowledges that the team must make a greater effort to free him from such defensive pressure.

"Without a designated point guard, I have to bring the ball up," Edwards concluded. "It's simple: we avoid turnovers, get into our game, and my teammates can shoot."

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