Minnesota fought off elimination for the third time in the playoffs, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 105-100 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Edwards’ Positive Mindset Fuels Team
Young star Anthony Edwards’ unwavering confidence was a key factor in the win. Despite facing a 3-0 deficit, Edwards’ positive attitude lifted the team, including Karl-Anthony Towns, who struggled early in the series. Edwards finished with a well-rounded performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Towns Delivers Best Performance of Series
Towns finally broke out of his slump, scoring 25 points including a crucial 20 points in the second half. Despite fouling out in the third quarter, Towns shot efficiently, going 9 for 13 from the field. Coach Chris Finch praised Towns’ resilience and overall contribution to the game.
Minnesota’s Defense Holds Strong
The Timberwolves, known for their top-ranked regular season defense, continued their lockdown effort, limiting the Mavericks to just 42% shooting. All-Star Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double for Dallas, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Minnesota’s defensive pressure.
Uphill Battle for Minnesota
While the win keeps their season alive, the Timberwolves face a daunting challenge. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. However, Edwards remains optimistic, refusing to give up hope for a Game 7.
Key Upcoming Game
Game 5 shifts back to Minneapolis on Thursday, where the Mavericks previously won the first two games of the series. A win for Minnesota would even the series at 2-2, putting pressure on Dallas to close it out at home in Game 6.