Then, as the Wolves were coming back Friday against the Kings, they faced a 113-109 deficit with under two minutes left. Instead of settling for a jumper, Edwards took the ball to the rim, made the layup and got a three-point play. Then on the next offensive possession, Edwards worked hard to get a good shot.
Where in the past he might have dribbled out the shot clock and settled for a jumper, Edwards gave up the ball initially on a double, got it back and then split two defenders to get to the rim for another three-point play and a two-point Wolves lead. Those kinds of possessions from Edwards were not a regular part of the Wolves’ late-game offense in past seasons.
“There’s been games where he’ll get off the ball, knowing his double team, and knowing that he’s probably gonna get it back,” Conley said. “Knowing that the play is not over for him, he still is thinking about the next play mentality, and it allows him to be harder to guard later in games. Normally, he would shoot it over everybody. Now, he’s actually looking for guys late.”
Edwards showed that in getting off the ball in a sequence that resulted in a Jaden McDaniels dunk late in the victory over Phoenix.
There’s a lot the Wolves are still figuring out about this team; they’ve spent the last few days drilling down on ways to make their defense better. It has been an inconsistent start, but it’s a start that could look a lot worse if not for their execution in some of these close games. That has enabled them to tread water in the standings at 8-6 while they figure out everything else.
“Especially late game, there’s not really a lot of time to think or draw up plays or manipulate situations,” Randle said. “You’ve just gotta kind of go and be aggressive. At least that’s my mindset. That’s what I see from Ant. He’s not waiting to make plays. He’s making the best play possible as fast as he can.”