Draymond Green has highlighted critical mistakes made by Anthony Edwards and coach Chris Finch regarding the Minnesota Timberwolves’ recent playoff struggles. The Timberwolves had an impressive run in the 2025 NBA playoffs, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in consecutive rounds. However, they fell to the top-seeded OKC Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, losing the series 4-1. Before their elimination, Warriors veteran Draymond Green voiced serious concerns about the team.
At only 23, Anthony Edwards has already reached the conference finals twice and shown growth as a team leader, especially after the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Still, Green pointed out on his podcast that Edwards has room to improve, particularly in taking more shots and owning critical moments. Edwards scored 16 and 19 points in the final two games but shifted blame rather than taking full responsibility. Green emphasized, “You have to make it happen,” noting Edwards needed to be more assertive with the ball.
Green also criticized Edwards’ mindset after the Timberwolves fell behind 3-1 and slammed coach Chris Finch for benching Julius Randle during a crucial playoff game. Despite Randle scoring 28 points in the first conference final game, Finch cut his minutes in the following four games, signaling a lack of confidence in the three-time All-Star. The Timberwolves face a pivotal offseason to address these shortcomings and aim for a stronger comeback next year.
Fan Take: This critique from a seasoned champion like Draymond Green is significant for basketball fans as it highlights the pressure young stars like Edwards face in high-stakes moments. The Timberwolves’ offseason adjustments could be a key storyline that influences their future success and the competitive balance in the NBA Western Conference.