Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch did not mince words when addressing his team’s recent struggles, especially after the disappointing loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Timberwolves, who reached the Western Conference Finals last season with a 56-26 record, are now facing an 8-10 win-loss record that has many fans and analysts alike questioning their current direction. Among those voices is Kendrick Perkins, the 2008 NBA champion, who bluntly stated, “This is exactly who they are, a Play-in team.” His words echo the sentiment of frustration that surrounds the Timberwolves.
In the post-game press conference, Finch commented on Anthony Edwards’ pull-up three-pointers, noting an uptick in his accuracy this season, now at 42.7% compared to last year’s 35.7%. Despite this improvement, Edwards struggled in the game against the Kings, making just 4 of 9 three-point attempts. Finch was visibly disheartened by the lack of consistent execution, stating, “The margin for error is not there, (with a) 10-point lead, you got to be able to execute… we lost our willingness to execute.” This wasn’t just directed at Edwards but was a critique of the entire roster, pointing to a wider issue with consistency.
Finch highlighted the need for a solid start, mentioning, “Today, we focused on a better start, you know. And we did a good job there, but we just got to have more consistent application of what we’re actually trying to do.” He lamented the fact that “Guys are kind of, a little bit, in their own world when things aren’t going well for them, and it’s affecting both sides of the ball, which… that has to be changed.” His frustration underlines a key theme: the Timberwolves need to learn to execute as a cohesive unit, particularly in tough moments.
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Edwards’ shooting numbers have shown promise this season, with field goal attempts rising from 19.7 to 21.2 and three-pointers increasing from 6.7 to 11.1 per game. However, his success rate has been inconsistent. Against the Houston Rockets, Edwards made only 3 of 12 three-point attempts, contributing to a narrow 6-point loss. Similar issues arose against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he went 0-9 on three-point attempts. Finch’s concern is that if Edwards, as the lead scorer, cannot set a stable example, the rest of the team will struggle to follow suit.
As the Timberwolves continue their 4-game losing streak, it’s clear that the burden falls heavily on Anthony Edwards. Finch’s critique, though stern, is aimed at encouraging his young star to become more reliable in crucial moments. For Edwards, accepting this responsibility is vital to turning the season around, but the cracks in the team’s collective mindset are beginning to show.
During a locker room Q&A session, Edwards did not hold back in his assessment of the Timberwolves’ recent struggles. “Y’all wanna talk to me? (Yes.) What you wanna know, why we’re trash?” he began, his frustration palpable. Despite his forthrightness, Edwards made it clear that he wasn’t singling out anyone specifically for blame, using “we” throughout the discussion to express a sense of shared responsibility. However, his tone made it evident that he too felt the weight of the ongoing identity crisis. “We thought defense was our identity, and it’s not looking like it at all. Our identity right now… we’re soft as hell, like as a team, internally,” he added. These are harsh words, but they reflect the honesty that Edwards feels is needed at this critical juncture.
Despite saying he is personally “good” mentally, it’s evident that Edwards has also been affected by the losing streak. If Finch’s tough-love approach resonates, perhaps it will push Edwards and the Timberwolves in the right direction. Otherwise, the comparisons of Edwards to all-time greats like Michael Jordan could start to fade away, and his hard-earned reputation from the previous season might be at risk.
