Is Anthony Edwards' immense talent ready to fulfill the burden of Minnesota's great expectations?
There are the whispers from Timberwolves teammates, as he’s heading back to the huddle, as he’s sitting on the bench, as he’s stepping out of the postgame showers. At the tail of his rookie season, Finch urged Edwards to stretch his step-back long twos into step-back threes. Towns’ weeks-long absence with a calf strain has thrust Edwards onto Minnesota’s controls. To them it was a bad shot," Edwards told Yahoo Sports. I think that’s the biggest thing, accepting it,” Edwards told Yahoo Sports.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball: Six key storylines to follow, including Trae Young drama
By Alex Barutha, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWe’re nearly at the one-third mark of the NBA season in fantasy. Injuries, drama and the looming trade deadline create plenty of storylines at this time of year, and all of it is worth considering for fantasy. He's somehow flying under the radar despite being the third-best fantasy player in per-game nine-category value since Nov. 16. Don't forget about trade deadline sleepersGiven the number of injuries and rest in the league already this season, we've seen extended glances at many teams' young players. Williamson takes so many free-throw attempts (7.5 per game this season) that every percentage point matters for fantasy managers.
wftv.comGrizzlies star Ja Morant fined $35k for ejection after implying officials have 'too much power'
After the game, Morant made it clear that he feels the ejection wasn’t warranted. Morant wasn't the only player to get sent out in the final quarter. Seconds before Morant's technical, Grizzlies teammate Dillon Brooks was also tossed out of the game as he spoke to a referee after being called for a foul against Edwards. Morant is currently tied for ninth in the NBA with four technical fouls this season. Last season, Morant led the Grizzlies to the second-best regular season record in the NBA.
wftv.comTimberwolves hang on, top undermanned 76ers 112-109
Anthony Edwards scored 25 points, D’Angelo Russell had 19 and the Minnesota Timberwolves survived a late scare and won their third straight game, 112-109 over the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Tucker suffered an unspecified injury against the Timberwolves and Joel Embiid injured his left ankle/foot following a late-game collision with a teammate. Without two top scorers, the Timberwolves pounced early on the Sixers and stretched a winning streak with all three wins on the road. “We’re not in a position where we feel like we can afford any letdowns,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “It shouldn't have come down to that.”TIP-INSTimberwolves: Finch played at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was an NCAA Division III All-American in 1991 and 1992.
wftv.comNBA Fact or Fiction: The Minnesota Timberwolves' trade for Rudy Gobert is an abject disaster
Presumably, Minnesota acquired Gobert to improve last season's 13th-rated defense and create more offensive space than he crowds with his screen-setting and rim-running. As The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor noted, Edwards has passed to Gobert just twice in the 125 pick and rolls they have run together. Towns and Gobert should be the leaders in Minnesota's locker room, but both have a history of passivelyclashing with more assertive co-stars. The only other option is to trade Gobert, and there may not be a team that would pay half the price for Gobert that Minnesota paid. The Gobert trade is an abject disaster.
wftv.comGobert out for Wolves, placed in health and safety protocols
MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Rudy Gobert will miss the Minnesota Timberwolves' game against Houston on Saturday after being placed in the league's health and safety protocols. Gobert played Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks with an illness, and the Timberwolves ruled him out Saturday afternoon for the game against Houston. Anthony Edwards, who was also listed with an illness on Friday, is not on the team's injury report. Finch wasn't sure how long Gobert would miss and deferred to the league's regulations for Gobert's return. Gobert, in his first season after being acquired from Utah, is averaging 12.6 points and leads the league with 13.9 rebounds per game.
wftv.comGobert, Wolves extend Lakers' winless start with 111-102 win
MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 29 points in the third quarter, Rudy Gobert added 22 points and 21 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves extended the Los Angeles Lakers’ winless start with a 111-102 win on Friday night. LeBron James scored 28 points for Los Angeles, which was without Anthony Davis due to low back tightness. Los Angeles entered the day with the league’s lowest shooting percentages, hitting 41.6% from the field and 22.3% from 3. Without Davis, Minnesota used its twin towers of Gobert and Towns inside. With its focus inside, Minnesota scored 46 points in the paint for the game.
wftv.comThe NBA's most interesting teams: Feeling Minnesota? Wolves betting big on Rudy Gobert's defensive impact
Minnesota ranked 13th in points allowed per possession last season, the franchise's best finish in eight years . To their credit, the Wolves did create plenty of chaos, forcing turnovers at the NBA's second-highest rate last season . The Jazz hardly ever allowed shots at the rim or from the short corners during Gobert's tenure in Utah. Already an electric driver with a lightning-quick first step, the vertical thrust of a space shuttle launch, and the strength to bulldoze his way to the rim, Edwards added more craft to his game in Year 2. Are Edwards and hopeful 3-and-D wing Jaden McDaniels (the most important non-headline-name piece on the roster ) ready for that responsibility?
wftv.comFantasy Basketball: Three breakout guards to eye in drafts for 2022-2023 NBA season
[Get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] From a fantasy perspective, he'll only need to improve his field goal percentage (41.6%) and cut down on his turnovers (3.7/g) to make him an elite fantasy player. Overall, Fox finished 98th in per-game value last season, but I think he heads closer to his post-Haliburton trade numbers this season. All pieces that should help Fox deliver his best real-life and fantasy season to date with an imminent breakout that propels him to be a top-35 player in fantasy basketball this season. Points, assists, efficiency and reliability don't grow on trees, especially in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Rankings 2022-23: Shooting guard draft tiers
The 2022-23 NBA season is fast approaching, which means it's time to start getting ready for your fantasy basketball drafts. He earned All-NBA first-team honors and will again be an excellent source for points, threes, assists and free-throw percentage. He's a unique talent who will be a reliable source of points, threes, steals and blocks at the guard position. Josh GiddeyI shared my thoughts on Giddey in my point guard tiers article since he'll be logging heavy minutes at both point guard and shooting guard this season. He's locked in as the starting shooting guard this year and should be a consistent source of points, threes and steals.
wftv.comT-wolves' Edwards fined $40K by NBA for homophobic remark
NEW YORK — (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for homophobic comments he made on social media. The league announced the punishment for Edwards' use of "offensive and derogatory language" in a since-deleted Instagram video he later apologized for. It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way,” Edwards tweeted last week. His average of 1.5 steals per game was 13th in the NBA. ___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAnthony Edwards fined $40,000 by NBA for 'using offensive or derogatory language on social media'
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 by the NBA after "using offensive or derogatory language on social media," the league announced Tuesday. He later apologized for using "unacceptable" language. Edwards said it was "immature, hurtful and disrespectful" to use that word. What I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry. — Anthony Edwards (@theantedwards_) September 11, 2022The NBA's statement referenced Edwards' apology, saying he "has acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate."
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Breakout Candidates: Seven NBA players ready to make a leap
The aforementioned names are key contributors on their teams and will likely pick up where they left off this season. However, the following list features players poised to make a leap or burst onto the scene. You'll have to pay up for Edwards in drafts as he's currently going in the late second or early third round on Yahoo. As a rookie last season, Wagner averaged 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 combined steals-plus-blocks. However, his next season in Charlotte was terrible, with Martin shooting 25.6% from beyond the arc (31-of-121).
wftv.comTimberwolves, Anthony Edwards issue apology after offensive social media post: 'I was raised better than that'
Minnesota Timberwolves president Tim Connelly issued a statement Monday that said the team was "disappointed" in Anthony Edwards after he used offensive language in a social media post.
foxnews.comGrizzlies rally past Wolves 114-106 to reach 2nd round
Grizzlies Timberwolves Basketball Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) in the first half in Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, April 29, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Grizzlies advanced in the playoffs for the first time in seven years, this time to meet Golden State. Jaden McDaniels had 24 points off the bench, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Bane then swished another one from deep at 3:03 for a 101-99 lead, the first for the Grizzlies since they were up 39-38. The kill shot came soon after for a Wolves team that, like so many others against the Grizzlies this season, was consistently a step and a jump behind on the glass.
wftv.comTowns, T-wolves rebound to even series with Grizzlies at 2
Grizzlies Timberwolves Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies early in the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Minneapolis. Morant went 4 for 13 from the floor, and had 11 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out with seven points, and 25 of the Grizzlies' 33 fouls were called their starters. But Tyus Jones had his 3-pointer fall short with 10.5 seconds to go, and Edwards grabbed the rebound. When Towns swished a 3 from the top of the key on the first possession, a jet-like roar followed.
wftv.comGrizzlies claw back from 26 down, beat Wolves in Game 3
Tyus Jones hit two dagger 3-pointers against his former team down the stretch, and the Grizzlies seized back home-court advantage. They stunned a Wolves team that won Game 1 on the road 130-117, but took an ugly 124-96 loss in Game 2. After the NBA's highest-scoring team made only 30 field goals in Game 2 to match a season low, the Wolves hit only 33 in Game 3. HARD SHIFTThe Grizzlies used a 23-4 run over the final 10:28 of the second quarter to make a game of this. TIP-INSGrizzlies: Kyle Anderson started for the Grizzlies in place of Steven Adams, who was dominated by Towns in Game 1 and played only 3 minutes in Game 2.
wftv.comGrizzlies rout Timberwolves 124-96 to tie series at 1 apiece
Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points in his playoff debut in Game 1, led Minnesota with 20. The Timberwolves dominated the series opener after scoring a franchise-record 41 points in the first quarter. That kept the NBA's top scoring teams in the regular season from getting into any rhythm as they combined to shoot 33 free throws. His layup gave Memphis a 87-60 lead with 4:15 to go in the third, and the Grizzlies led 96-77 going into the fourth. Grizzlies: Entering the game had lost four of their last five games including the series opener.
wftv.comGrizzlies rout Timberwolves 124-96 to tie series at 1 apiece
Ja Morant scored 23 points and handed out 10 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies looked much more like the team that posted the NBA’s second-best record, routing the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-96 to even up their first-round Western Conference series at 1 apiece.
For some, Game 2s in NBA playoffs provide bounce-back chance
Game 2s will give others a bounce-back chance. A trio of Game 2s are on Tuesday's NBA schedule — Atlanta at Miami, Minnesota at Memphis and New Orleans at Phoenix. “We have to be ready to play.”Adjustments will be made, as always, between Game 1 and Game 2. Veterans know Game 1s are never worth making snap judgments over, because series narratives can and often do change in Game 2s. — KEEP AN EYE ON: Even though Phoenix won Game 1, a 55-35 rebounding deficit will need to be addressed in Game 2.
wftv.comTimberwolves stun Grizzlies, grab Game 1 with 130-117 win
2 seed Memphis Grizzlies 130-117 on Saturday to grab home-court advantage in the opener of their first-round Western Conference series. The Timberwolves, fresh off beating the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in game, won their first playoff opener since 2004. Ja Morant led Memphis with 32 points and eight assists, and Dillon Brooks added 24 points. TIP-INSTimberwolves: They topped the 121 points scored April 21, 2018, against Houston in the only game they won that series. Their first quarter topped the 32 points scored May 23, 2004, in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
wftv.comTimberwolves stun Grizzlies, grab Game 1 with 130-117 win
Anthony Edwards scored 36 points in his postseason debut, and the seventh-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies 130-117 to grab home-court advantage in the opener of their first-round Western Conference series.
George in health and safety protocols, out of play-in game
Clippers Timberwolves Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards during the second quarter during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) (Andy Clayton-King)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Paul George has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and will miss the Los Angeles Clippers' play-in game against New Orleans on Friday night, according to a team spokesman. George scored 34 points in a 109-104 loss at Minnesota on Tuesday in the first play-in game. Besides George, the Clippers were already without Kawhi Leonard, who hasn't played all season while rehabbing from an ACL tear. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comGrizzlies win 11th straight, beating Timberwolves 116-108
Timberwolves Grizzlies Basketball Memphis Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman (2) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) (Brandon Dill)MEMPHIS, Tenn. — (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 21 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies pulled away in the final minutes for their 11th straight victory, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-108 on Thursday night. Ja Morant had 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and John Konchar added 15 points and a career-best 17 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell had 29 points and six assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points and nine rebounds. Two free throws by Brandon Clarke (14 points) with 1:47 left gave the Grizzlies the lead for good. But the Timberwolves’ defense kept Morant in check, frustrating the Grizzlies point guard.
wftv.comTowns, Timberwolves cruise past short-handed Lakers 110-92
Lakers Timberwolves Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) works past Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) (Bruce Kluckhohn)MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves blew out the depleted Los Angeles Lakers for a second time this season, 110-92 on Friday night. Isaiah Thomas made his season debut with 19 points, Russell Westbrook had 14 points and Kent Bazemore matched his season high with 11 points. The Wolves, who beat the Lakers 107-83 in Los Angeles on Nov. 12 without James in the lineup, had a 61-36 rebounding advantage. MEN DOWNThe Lakers had Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn and Austin Reaves in the protocols.
wftv.comWolves select Edwards with No. 1 pick in delayed NBA draft
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Edwards with the first pick in the NBA draft Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tears flowed freely for those and many more players Wednesday night when their long-awaited, months-delayed NBA dreams were finally realized. 1 pick in an NBA draft delayed multiple times because of the coronavirus pandemic. 12 pick Tyrese Haliburton of Sacramento, whose blue, floral suit had the words “Black Lives Matter” on the inside. Duke didn't have a player picked in the first round after having 39 since the league went to a two-round draft in 1989.
The wait is over: Delayed NBA draft finally comes Wednesday
1 overall pick in the NBA draft on Nov. 18, 2020. After multiple delays, the NBA draft finally arrives Wednesday. The draft is usually held in June in New York, where Adam Silver announces the first-round picks. It's not the draft night they wanted, but the excitement of becoming a pro player won't diminish. But at the same time, this extra time, it’s only helping me,” said forward Obi Toppin, the national college player of the year from Dayton.