The Minnesota Timberwolves are strongly positioned to finally end the LA Lakers’ season and take a significant step forward.
After a critical Game 4 win at 116 to 113, the Minnesota Timberwolves are now enjoying a 3-1 series lead over the LA Lakers, now just one victory away from entering the Western Conference Semifinals.
Although Luka Doncic bounced back after an illness-ridden Game 3, scoring 38 points, the Lakers still have no answer in dealing with Anthony Edwards as the Timberwolves sensation erupted for a game-high 43 markers.
Julius Randle chipped in with 25 points, while Jaden McDaniels continues to be Minnesota’s X-factor in this series as he provided another monster-like performance of 16-point, 11-board double-double.
Game 4 was a competitive one and came down to the wire, with the Lakers’ main five playing for the entire second-half, aiming to tie the series.
After a back and forth battle, the Timberwolves came up victorious and prove why having a solid depth and supporting cast critically matters at this stage of the season.
One of the key highlights of the fierce matchup this weekend was the heated collision between Edwards and LeBron James.
During the second quarter, both players went at it. It was Edwards who initiated the shoving match with James matching his intensity.
For two consecutive possessions, the two imposed their physicality against each other with Edwards taking the events seriously.
“It’s going to be physical, man. I would say I was trying to make a point, but just let him know that we’re here. You ain’t just going to push us around all night,” the Minnesota star said in his postgame presser.
“I mean, because I’m not going to lie, he’s strong. It’s hard to keep him from, like, he posted me up, he got all the way to the rim. I was glad he missed the layup, but he’s a lot stronger than me.
“But just letting him know that we’re going to be here all night. And I’m going to be a pest to him whenever I get on him.”
Edwards and James have a solid relationship, especially during their run to lead the United States through men’s basketball gold medal of Paris Summer Games.
But this time around, as opponents, Edwards appeared determined enough to send a statement against the four-time league MVP. He has embraced being the underdog in this series on behalf of Minnesota, and the rising superstar couldn’t be more amped up to continue battling James until the end.
“I’m going to try to get up under his skin,” he added. “I’m going to try.
“I mean, ’cause, you know, we played together on USA. He was like a big brother to me. He looked out for me, helped me out a lot with reading the game IQ and everything.
“So, you know, just trying to be a pest to him out there.”
Edwards holds a perfect opportunity right now to prove his point, and we can only wait and can attempt to pull it off in Game 5 on April 30 with a chance to advance and eliminate LeBron and the Lakers in LA.
