Anthony Edwards takes charge as Timberwolves blowout OKC in Game 3

After getting punked twice in Oklahoma City Minnesota s season was on the line Saturday at Target Center Event of the Western Conference finals wasn t only a must-win it was a must-set-a-tone The Timberwolves had to remind the world and frankly themselves of who they are A talented physical relentless collection Who better to deliver the message than Anthony Edwards The superstar guard did just that Saturday to power Minnesota to a - achievement The Wolves pulled within - in the series with Event set for p m Monday in Minneapolis Yes Edwards scored points in the first quarter truly outscoring the Thunder as a whole in that frame But more importantly he was tenacious in every aspect of the match His defense was harassing out on the perimeter producing a number of steals that led to highlight finishes in transition He was a monster on the glass even nabbing an offensive board off a Rudy Gobert missed free throw Offensively Edwards ultimately started to hit the step-in -pointers that have become a trademark of his this season and Oklahoma City has left available with its drop pick-and-roll coverage Edwards came out throwing haymakers When your best participant exerts his dominance others feel more confident to fulfill their roles Suddenly the -pointers of everyone else started to fall Mike Conley Nickeil Alexander-Walker Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo all started raining down triples with confidence The Wolves snapped out of a shooting slump by going for from -point range in the win Timberwolves coach Chris Finch went to Terrence Shannon Jr in the first-half rotation and the rookie responded with nine points in four minutes of action in the first half alone finishing with for the battle Minnesota also shifted to a more aggressive perimeter defense that held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check and prevented Oklahoma City from ever getting settled offensively Minnesota led by after the first frame at halftime and was never threatened by the top-seeded Thunder Edwards had points nine rebounds and six assists He was everywhere which was exactly where he demands to be if Minnesota is to win four games out of five against this Thunder group One down three to go Related Articles From can t play to can t be stopped How Chet Holmgren realized Larry Suggs vision With season on the line do Timberwolves need to go small Frederick The Timberwolves know how to respond They ve seen it firsthand Timberwolves blitzed again in third quarter to fall down - in West Finals Jace Frederick Will Anthony Edwards pull back if NBA fines continue