The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night in the Play-In Tournament, with a berth in the postseason on the line. If they lose, Minny will face the loser of the No. 9 vs No. 10 game later this week. The Timberwolves have been building their roster to finally make the playoffs again and it's very close to becoming a reality.

Obviously, Karl-Anthony Towns is the star of the show for this team. He is their most consistent player and a mainstay on both ends. While KAT will undoubtedly need to have a big game in order to take down the fundamentally sound Clippers, it's another player who must step up in a big way and deliver.

Timberwolves' X-factor vs Clippers

Anthony Edwards

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Ant's numbers took a slight jump this season, going from 19.3 points per game to 21.3. He also improved his three-point shot from 32% to almost 36%. Edwards enjoyed a fantastic first half, but after the All-Star break, he wasn't as effective, averaging just under 20 points per night. However, there is a reason for positive heading into this matchup.

The Timberwolves star is posting over 25 per game in the month of April, including a 49-point performance just five days ago against the Spurs. He's rising to the occasion at the best possible time and this is his first taste of postseason basketball. Sure, he's been inconsistent at times, but Ant knows that his production against the Clippers is absolutely crucial to the outcome. KAT can't do it all alone, he will need Edwards to show out alongside him.

It's also important to note that the Timberwolves guard played very well vs. Los Angeles in 2021/22, posting a stat line of 23.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and four assists in four outings. On the other hand, his numbers have taken a significant dive at home. He will need to change the narrative here and erupt.

Can Anthony Edwards play a key factor? Only time will tell.