Anthony Edwards had a simple explanation for why the Minnesota Timberwolves closed out the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-104, to take a 2-1 series lead.
“I got two words for you,” he said. “Jaden McDaniels.”
Not the two words you were expecting?
That’s fitting for a team that’s become an ensemble cast, despite having a megawatt superstar. Edwards may be the engine, but McDaniels is the seatbelt, and the Wolves are a Spirit plane embarking on an international flight. Bubble gum and duct tape may be holding their A330 together, but damn it, they’re going to make it to London.
Minnesota traded Karl-Anthony Towns before camp, disrupting the chemistry of last year’s Western Conference Finals team to avoid the second apron. In doing so, they went from a two-star team to an ensemble cast of cult heroes.
Naz Reid is the everyman. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the philosopher. Mike Conley, 37, is the team’s big brother.
LeBron James, 40, dropped 38 points on a night when Luka Dončić had a stomach bug. Still, the Timberwolves warded off the favored Lakers. McDaniels had 30 points in 38 minutes, shooting 13 of 22 from the floor while guarding Dončić.
“I told him maybe, like, two years ago, like, ‘Bruh, I don’t understand what type of shape you in,” Edwards said after the game. “I don’t know what you do in the summertime. Because do he ever look tired to y’all?
“I mean, I know he don’t show no emotion, but you could tell when somebody tired.”
Edwards had 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in Minnesota’s Game 1 win. He was 29-8-8 on Friday night. Conversely, he had 25 points but no assists in the Wolves’ Game 2 loss. The Timberwolves are always better off when they aren’t reliant on Edwards to generate all the offense.
Reid and DiVincenzo can space the floor, and Julius Randle can play bully ball. However, McDaniels tirelessly breaks down an opponent. He was only 1 for 5 from three on Friday, but found ways to slither to the basket while playing stout defense.
“Just a monster,” Chris Finch said after the game, mentioning that 30 points was a career high for McDaniels.
“It couldn’t come at a better time. In the flow of everything, was super aggressive. … I thought [McDaniels] and Julius did an excellent job of setting the tone today and being aggressive, with a lot of force, and then battling in their matchup.”
If Edwards is the engine, and McDaniels is the seatbelt, Conley is the pilot. Conley is Minnesota’s guide, their steadying force. He navigated them through a turbulent season as they adjusted to life after KAT, acting as a light when night fell from the sky.
However, Conley doesn’t match up well against the Lakers. LA’s rotation lacks bigs and small guards, aside from Gabe Vincent. It’s primarily mid-sized players, between 6’4” and 6’9”. That’s a tough draw for the 6’0” Conley. Therefore, they need players like McDaniels, who’s defensively sound and can score, to stabilize them when the storm strikes.
“Jaden, we need more of it,” Conley acknowledged.
“He’s a guy that I don’t think he even understands how good he is yet. Just building his confidence and building him up to be a guy that takes big shots, makes big shots, makes big plays, and stays aggressive at all times, especially when we feel like he can swing a matchup and swing a series.”
The Wolves are hurdling toward Heathrow. They’re not kindly asking the Lakers to step aside. They’re taking command. It’s a ragtag bunch, led by the gregarious Edwards, and Minnesota is starting to fall in love with them.
How can you not love Naz or Minnesota Mike? DiVincenzo is a proven winner. People are coming around on Randle. They even embrace the bench mob. There are Rob Dillingham jerseys dotted throughout Target Center. Luka Garza receives an ovation when he enters the game. I saw a Josh Minott jersey.
However, McDaniels is the hero in this series. He’s the silent protagonist. Why would he speak? McDaniels’ game does most of the talking for him, and Edwards says the rest.
