In the thick of a hard-fought playoff series, the small moments between plays often reveal the deeper story. During Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Anthony Edwards reportedly turned to Gary Payton II and said something that spoke volumes: “Y’all just trying to get to Game 6, huh? Tryna get Steph back.” It was a subtle yet sharp observation—and, as it turned out, a painfully accurate one.
The Golden State Warriors entered the series without their leader and two-time MVP, Stephen Curry, sidelined with a lower leg injury. Without him, the Warriors faced a steep uphill battle against a surging Minnesota Timberwolves squad led by the explosive Edwards. Still, the Warriors’ championship DNA showed through. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins fought valiantly, and young contributors like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody stepped up. But it was clear: Golden State was playing a waiting game, hoping to hold on long enough for Curry to make a miraculous return.
Game 3 was pivotal. The Timberwolves already had a 2–0 lead, and Edwards smelled blood. His comment to Payton wasn’t just trash talk—it was a strategic read. Edwards knew the Warriors were playing for time, not just wins. They weren’t trying to dominate the series. They were trying to survive it.
And for a moment, it looked like they might. The Warriors rallied in Game 4, showing flashes of their old brilliance. Chase Center came alive with the hope that maybe—just maybe—Curry could be back in time to turn the tide. But Anthony Edwards had other plans. In Game 5, he delivered a masterclass, dropping 36 points with relentless aggression and energy on both ends of the floor. The Timberwolves closed out the series 4–1, and the Warriors’ plan crumbled just one game short.
The loss hit hard for Golden State. For the first time in the Steve Kerr era, they looked like a team whose dynasty was truly on the edge of collapse. The absence of Curry was glaring—no timely threes, no gravity-shifting off-ball movement, no late-game heroics. His presence could have changed everything. But the game doesn’t wait for injuries. And Edwards wasn’t about to let it.
This moment captures a changing of the guard in the Western Conference. The Warriors, once the unbeatable juggernauts, are now trying to squeeze out a few more championship runs. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are rising fast, and Edwards is leading that charge with confidence, swagger, and maturity beyond his years. His Game 3 comment, in hindsight, feels like both a warning and a promise: We see what you’re doing, and we’re not letting it happen.
Golden State’s dream of reaching Game 6 for a Curry comeback never materialized. Instead, the Timberwolves slammed the door shut early. Anthony Edwards knew it—and made sure it stayed that way. 🎥
