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Leading by 10, Minnesota Timberwolves’ guard Anthony Edwards drilled an extended jumper to push their lead over the Denver Nuggets as much as 96-84. Though practically three full minutes had been left on the clock, the Timberwolves doubtless believed that their 12-point lead was protected and that they may loosen up realizing that their franchise-long streak of by no means getting swept within the postseason was protected. They had been incorrect. The Timberwolves had scored their ultimate level of regulation. The Nuggets had been simply getting began.
Three straight Denver 3-pointers reduce the lead down to 3. Nikola Jokic trimmed it to 1 with 48.2 seconds left, and a Michael Porter Jr. block gave Denver the ball and an opportunity to win. Jokic bought fouled and made solely certainly one of his two appears to be like, mercifully sending the sport to time beyond regulation, the place an identical situation performed out. Minnesota led 109-102 with 89 seconds left on the clock. Three fast Denver buckets reduce that lead down to 1. Only this time, the Timberwolves completed the job. With 11.1 seconds remaining, Edwards hit the game-sealing 3-pointer to clinch the victory for Minnesota.
It was the cherry on high of a historic recreation for Edwards. With 34 factors in complete, Edwards grew to become solely the second participant ever to achieve 30 factors in 5 or extra playoff video games earlier than his twenty second birthday, becoming a member of LeBron James on that illustrious listing. No different Minnesota participant scored even 20 factors, however Edwards relentlessly atatcked the rim in a game-changing third quarter that the Timberwolves gained by 10 factors. It was the achievement of a promise Edwards made after Minnesota’s Game 3 loss.
“This sequence will not be over,” Edwards stated within the locker room following Game 3, in accordance with The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. “It’s the primary to 4, to not three. I promise you it ain’t over. Everyone’s counting us out. It ain’t over. I promise you.”
Edwards greater than held up his finish of the discount. The Timberwolves nonetheless have an uphill battle in entrance of them. They’ll have to win three extra video games in the event that they hope to advance, and two of them might be in Denver, the place the Nuggets are 36-7 this season. The odds of Minnesota overcoming a 3-0 deficit to ship the Nuggets residence are slim, but when Sunday proved something, it’s that Edwards is not taking place and not using a struggle.
