The Oklahoma City Thunder have to feel great about their positioning. The Thunder lead the Western Conference Finals 3-1, with Game 5 on the schedule for Wednesday at the Paycom Center. Just how flustered are the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Game 4 was an incredibly close contest. The Thunder managed to secure a tight 128-126 victory to take the commanding lead they now have in the series. A big part of that win was a quiet performance from Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves superstar was dragged by the media after a disappointing 16 points, six assists, and four rebounds in the Game 4 loss. Did his teammates feel the same way?
Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards celebrates with Rudy Gobert during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center.
Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards celebrates with Rudy Gobert during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center.
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Gobert sends firm message to Edwards and reporters ahead of Game 5
Rudy Gobert, who is no stranger to criticism and being attacked by the media, came to the defense of his young superstar. The Timberwolves center made his feelings on Edwards loud and clear to the reporters listening.
"I thought he was great last game. ... A lot of people think basketball is just about scoring 30 every night, it’s not true. ... It's about winning. It's about making the right play, and if you bring two guys and you make the right play, you've done your job."
-Rudy Gobert
Gobert does bring up an excellent point. The team did function incredibly well during the contest despite the criticism of Edwards' performance.
Still, one would imagine the Thunder were thrilled to limit Edwards to his lowest point total of the series. It was also his second-lowest outing in the scoring department of the postseason overall. Only a 15-point game against the Los Angeles Lakers saw fewer buckets from Edwards.
The Thunder will look to strike a strong balance between limiting his offense, while also slowing down his teammates in Game 5. The task is easier said than done, but for an elite defense like Oklahoma City, it is certainly feasible.