Growing pains are part of NBA rookie's life. Minnesota Timberwolves no. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards just experienced that in their heartbreaking 125-122 overtime defeat to the San Antonio Spurs.
Down by three points, the Timberwolves had the possession with just 11 seconds remaining in the extra session.
After Ricky Rubio passed the ball to Edwards on the wing in transition, 2020's top rookie found himself with a wide open lane to the hoop for an easy layup. However, thinking that the Timberwolves needed a 3-pointer to tie the game, the 6-foot-5 athlete decided to pass up the easy two and kicked the ball out to the perimeter. Unfortunately, the pass was picked off and the Spurs held on to win in OT.
Watch the entire Timberwolves sequence below:
Spurs beat Wolves in OT after Anthony Edwards turns the ball over in the clutch.
Should've the no. 1 pick gone for the easy two? 👀pic.twitter.com/CBOcHMuadB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 10, 2021
It's hard to put too much fault on Anthony Edwards here given that the Timberwolves did need a three to tie up the score. However, given that the quick two in transition presented itself quite surely, the Atlanta, Georgia native should have just went with the layup to trim the lead to one.
Had Edwards opted to take it himself, this would have left the Timberwolves with enough time to play the foul game (roughly six seconds) and challenge the Spurs to make their free throws. Minnesota also had a timeout remaining, which would have given head coach Ryan Saunders enough time to draw up a play.
Nonetheless, despite the blunder, the 19-year-old still put up a solid line of 13 points, four rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes off the bench. Edwards has had a promising start to his NBA career so far. Entering Saturday's contest, Edwards was averaging 15.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 40.9 percent through his first eight NBA games.
Follow Us
Subscribe