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The s’ n of the Western Convention as a reliable menace to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the defending convention champion San Antonio Spurs. After failing to achieve the Western Convention Finals for a 3rd consecutive look, the s over the summer time.
For the primary time in his profession, Edwards has one other 20+ level scorer to share the ball with. And it’s off to a perfect begin for the Timberwolves, who defeated the Miami Warmth by 25 factors in a 131-106 rout of their regular-season opener. Edwards’ whopping s on 16-for-29 makes an attempt, together with 9 threes, 10 rebounds, and two steals led Minnesota.
l completed with 21 factors, together with 5 threes, six assists, and two steals in his Timberwolves debut. Jaden McDaniels added 17 factors on 8-for-11 makes an attempt, eight rebounds, and three steals, and Jonathan Kuminga tallied a dozen factors, 4 steals, and one block in his first recreation with Minnesota.
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In an try to sustain with the Spurs and the Thunder, including Ball’s offensive firepower coupled together with his improved defensive method, addressed each ends of the ground for the Timberwolves. And he’s solely 25. Ball’s nonetheless projected to take one other stride in his growth, and enjoying in Minnesota is the proper setting for him to take action.
For the primary time in his profession, Ball’s enjoying for a crew projected to not solely attain the playoffs, however doubtlessly make one other deep run. The Timberwolves reached the Western Convention Finals in back-to-back seasons in 2025, the place they had been eradicated by the Thunder in 5 video games (4-1). Then, the younger Spurs, led by Defensive Participant of the 12 months Victor Wembanyama, arrived in 2026, beating the Timberwolves 4-2 within the Western Convention semifinals.
Holding their defensive anchors, Rudy Gobert and McDainels, intact for the upcoming season, the Timberwolves gave s a high-powered scorer to maintain up with a three-guard assault within the Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Citadel, and Dylan Harper. And with an elite wing defender in McDaniels and a rim protector in Gobert, the Timberwolves can rise to the event in opposition to the likes of the Thunder’s star trio, led by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
With two Western Convention Finals apperances beneath his belt, Edwards is motivated to recover from the hump. His two-way recreation is right because the main scorer for a Timberwolves crew making an attempt to forestall one other Thunder-Spurs Western Convention Finals rematch in 2027.
Plus, Ayo Dosunmu is getting into his prime. He’s cemented a sixth man position after averaging 14.4 factors on 52.1/41.4/92.5 capturing splits, 4.2 rebounds, and three.5 assists final season. The 2026-27 Timberwolves have the perfect probabilities of reaching the Finals because the Corridor of Fame ahead Kevin Garnett-led crew that got here up two-wins brief in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers within the Western Convention Finals in 2004.
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