Anthony Edwards, known for his fearless demeanor on and off the court, didn't hold back after the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The young star, now in his fifth NBA season, offered a blunt criticism of his team's performances, pointing to internal problems as the root of their recent decline.
“We are soft (heck) as a team, but not in the way we deal with opponents – internally we are soft,” Edwards said. “We don't communicate, we act like a bunch of kids. This is the reality and if we don't face it, we will be going in the wrong direction.”
The Timberwolves, who made it to the Western Conference finals in 2024, have fallen on hard times. After a promising 6-3 start to the season, they have now lost four straight games and seven of their last nine. A major offseason trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks forced the team to adapt to a revamped roster. Despite flashes of potential, the group has struggled to maintain consistency, as seen in their recent collapse against Sacramento.
Minnesota let a 12-point lead slip away in the fourth quarter, just a day after a crushing overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. Edwards, who led his team with 29 points on 9-for-24 shooting, lamented a lack of energy and focus during the game.
“We had moments where we looked like the favorites tonight,” Edwards said. “But the moment we fell behind, no one spoke. We only talk when things are going well. This is the definition of a trailblazer, and it's a problem we all share, including me.”
Edwards also highlighted the team's disunity, attributing their struggles to conflicting priorities among players. “Right now, everyone has their own agenda,” he said. “This is one of the main reasons why we are losing. We don't play as a team.”
The Timberwolves' roster changes have been a focal point of their challenges. The trade that brought Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo from the Knicks yielded mixed results. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance but have yet to fully integrate into the team's system. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns appears to have found his stride with New York, adding fuel to the fire for frustrated Minnesota fans.
Edwards, however, stressed that the problems are not limited to the new additions. “It affects all of us, every one of the 15 guys on this roster,” he said. “When things get tough, we retreat into ourselves instead of coming together. It's clear to everyone: the team, the coaches, the fans.”
Fans expressed their disappointment during the game, booing the Timberwolves in their own arena. Edwards expressed his frustration with the reaction. “Being booed at home is crazy to me,” he said. “That's so (damn) disrespectful.”
The Timberwolves, now sitting at 8-10, face another tough test against the Los Angeles Clippers. As they search for answers, Edwards' candid statements highlight the urgency of change. For Minnesota to turn their season around, they will have to address their internal dynamics and rediscover the cohesion that once drove them to success.
Edwards' leadership and willingness to speak out could be the spark the Timberwolves need to address their shortcomings. The question remains whether the team can rally together and meet the lofty expectations set at the start of the season.
