The Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year, but they ran into the buzzsaw that is the Thunder, which was on full display in OKC’s Game 5’s 124-94 series-clinching victory. Minnesota barely had any response to Oklahoma City’s steady offense and couldn’t figure out how to handle its defensive pressure.
There is good news for the Timberwolves despite a second straight five-game Western Conference Finals loss. Minnesota lost a huge piece ahead of the regular season when Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to New York. Despite this, the Wolves battled all season and were a few wins from the NBA Finals. There is still a lot to build on, and it starts with star guard Anthony Edwards.
The way the team is currently constructed, Edwards has to shoulder a lot of the load, and pressure falls on him. That has spread beyond the Minnesota locker room, with many fans debating whether he’s the new face of the NBA.
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He certainly didn’t look like it in Minnesota’s Game 5 loss to OKC. Edwards’ final line wasn’t horrible, but anyone watching the matchup get out of hand in the first half knows he didn’t bring his “A” game.
Here’s how Edwards fared against the Thunder in the Timberwolves’ Game 5 loss to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Anthony Edwards Game 5 stats vs. Thunder
- Minutes: 39
- Points: 19
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 2
- Steals: 1
- Turnovers: 3
- Fouls: 2
- FG: 7-18 (38.9%)
- 3FG: 1-7 (14.3%)
- FT: 4-6 (66.7%)
Edwards is not dwelling on the loss. In his post-game press conference, he has already promised that he will not be outworked this summer.
Ant is already thinking about his comeback 😤
“Nobody’s going to work harder than me this summer.” pic.twitter.com/tZUsQV1zNL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 29, 2025
When asked about his takeaways from the game, he was very focused on giving props to teammate Mike Conley. A reporter asked Edwards about what he can take away to improve his game from his struggles in Game 5, but nothing came to mind.
#Wolves lost in the #WCF again
Anthony #Edwards on biggest takeaway for his game after his struggles scoring against #OKC defense:
“For my game? I don’t know…” pic.twitter.com/Sw4WZBCF0e
— Darko Dželetović (@DarkoBasketball) May 29, 2025
Head coach Chris Finch answered it for him in his own press conference. He wants to see Edwards play better against contact and more physical opponents.
#Wolves coach Chris Finch about ANT’s struggles in WCF against #OKC defense:
“He’s got to learn to play against that physicality” pic.twitter.com/aDgkEDubBx
— Darko Dželetović (@DarkoBasketball) May 29, 2025
Anthony Edwards record in conference finals
So far in his career, Edwards has played in 10 Western Conference Finals games. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone well. Minnesota has an overall playoff record of 21-20 with Edwards, but they’re just 2-8 in the Western Conference Finals.
Minnesota lost four of five against Dallas last year, losing the first three games before winning Game 4 and getting blown out in Game 5.
Minnesota lost four of five against Oklahoma City this year, losing the first two games of the series before getting their lone win in Game 3. Minnesota and Edwards were eliminated in Game 5 once again.
Anthony Edwards conference finals stats
Here is how Edwards has fared in the Western Conference Finals.
| Game | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Turnovers | Fouls | FG (%) | 3FG (%) | FT (%) |
| 2024 WCF Game 1 | 40 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6-16 (37.5%) | 5-12 (41.7%) | 2-2 (100%) |
| 2024 WCF Game 2 | 40 | 21 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5-17 (29.4%) | 2-7 (28.6%) | 9-10 (90.0%) |
| 2024 WCF Game 3 | 43 | 26 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11-24 (45.8%) | 0-2 (0.0%) | 4-6 (66.7%) |
| 2024 WCF Game 4 | 40 | 29 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 11-25 (44.0%) | 2-5 (40.0%) | 5-8 (62.5%) |
| 2024 WCF Game 5 | 43 | 28 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10-18 (55.6%) | 4-6 (66.7%) | 4-6 (66.7%) |
| 2025 WCF Game 1 | 36 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5-13 (38.5%) | 3-8 (37.5%) | 5-7 (71.4%) |
| 2025 WCF Game 2 | 40 | 32 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12-26 (46.2%) | 1-9 (11.1%) | 7-10 (70.0%) |
| 2025 WCF Game 3 | 29 | 30 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12-17 (70.6%) | 5-8 (62.5%) | 1-2 (50.0%) |
| 2025 WCF Game 4 | 40 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5-13 (38.5%) | 1-7 (14.3%) | 5-7 (71.4%) |
| 2025 WCF Game 5 | 39 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7-18 (38.9%) | 1-7 (14.3%) | 4-6 (66.67%) |
