JOKIC IS COMING! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ - Stephen A. WARNS Anthony Edwards ahead of Game 7 ๐Ÿ‘€ | First Take

ESPN
17 May 202414:31

Summary

TLDRIn a thrilling turn of events, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards' stellar performance, force a game seven against the Denver Nuggets, preventing their elimination and keeping their Western Conference finals hopes alive. Edwards scores 27 points, securing a dominant 115-70 victory. The discussion highlights the importance of game seven, emphasizing the potential for either team to emerge victorious. The spotlight is on Edwards to continue his outstanding playoff performance and on Jamal Murray's health, which could decide Denver's fate. The game is set to be a showdown of epic proportions, with implications not only for the series but also for the players' legacies and the potential championship paths.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ€ The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing elimination but managed to force a game seven with a 45-point blowout win over the Denver Nuggets.
  • ๐ŸŒŸ Anthony Edwards had a standout performance, scoring 27 points and leading the Timberwolves to a dominant victory.
  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Mike Conley's return to the game was a significant factor in the Timberwolves' bounce back win.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ There was a strong sense of determination from the Timberwolves, as indicated by Anthony Edwards' pre-game comments to his teammates.
  • ๐Ÿ‘€ The script highlights a particular moment where Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP, appeared to be intensely focused on the Timberwolves from the bench, suggesting a strong motivation for game seven.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š The discussion points out that the previous record for a defeat by a defending NBA champion was by 36 points, making the Timberwolves' win historically significant.
  • ๐Ÿค” The analysts debate the implications of the Timberwolves' win and what it means for the upcoming game seven, with differing opinions on what to expect.
  • ๐Ÿ† The conversation suggests that the winner of the series could potentially have an inside track to winning the NBA championship, emphasizing the high stakes of the game seven.
  • ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ There is a recognition that while Jokic is a proven MVP, the performance of Jamal Murray could be a deciding factor in the outcome of game seven.
  • ๐Ÿš€ The script emphasizes the importance of Anthony Edwards stepping up in game seven, as it would be a defining moment in his career and a chance to showcase his greatness against a top-tier opponent.
  • ๐ŸŽฏ The final takeaway is the acknowledgment of the monumental opportunity at hand for both teams, with the potential to make history and the pressure that comes with performing in a game seven scenario.

Q & A

  • What was the outcome of the Minnesota Timberwolves' game against the Denver Nuggets?

    -The Minnesota Timberwolves won with a 45-point blowout, forcing a game seven in the series.

  • What was Anthony Edwards' contribution to the Timberwolves' victory?

    -Anthony Edwards scored 27 points, which played a significant role in pulling the Timberwolves out of their slump and securing the victory.

  • How did the return of Mike Conley impact the Timberwolves' performance?

    -Mike Conley's return was a morale boost for the team, and it contributed to their dominant win.

  • What was the previous high for a defeat by a reigning NBA champion?

    -The previous high for a defeat by a reigning NBA champion was by 36 points.

  • How did Stephen A describe the look on Nikola Jokic's face during the game?

    -Stephen A described Nikola Jokic's look as determined and vengeful, with an expression that seemed to say 'I'm going to get you guys'.

  • What historical comparison did Stephen A make regarding Nikola Jokic's reaction?

    -Stephen A compared Jokic's reaction to Michael Jordan's reaction during a regular-season game against the Knicks in the 90s, where Jordan was determined to come back strong.

  • What does Stephen A believe the game seven will come down to?

    -Stephen A believes that game seven will come down to Jamal Murray's performance and whether he can play well in the big game.

  • What was the significance of the game for both teams according to the discussion?

    -The game is significant as the winner could potentially have an inside track to winning an NBA championship, and it's a chance for the teams to make history.

  • How did the commentators view Anthony Edwards' role in the upcoming game seven?

    -The commentators believe that Anthony Edwards needs to show up and perform at his best, as it's a moment of truth and an opportunity to prove his greatness.

  • What was the general sentiment among the commentators regarding the unpredictability of game seven?

    -The commentators agreed that game seven is a complete toss-up and could go either way, emphasizing the importance of each player's performance.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ€ Timberwolves' Dominant Comeback and Edwards' Stellar Performance

The Minnesota Timberwolves, facing elimination, delivered a decisive blow to the Denver Nuggets in a bid to reach the Western Conference finals. Anthony Edwards emerged as a dominant force, scoring 27 points and leading the Timberwolves to a 115-70 victory, forcing a game seven. The team's morale was boosted by the return of Mike Conley, who announced his readiness for the crucial game. Stephen A. Smith and the panel discuss the implications of the Timberwolves' performance and the intensity displayed by the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, hinting at a potential 'legacy moment' for Edwards and a challenging game seven ahead.

05:00

๐Ÿ”ฅ The Intensity of Game Seven and the Role of Jamal Murray

The discussion shifts to the anticipation of game seven, with Stephen A. Smith and the panel dissecting the potential outcomes. They note the importance of Jamal Murray's performance for the Nuggets, as his ability to play effectively could be the difference-maker. The panel also emphasizes the significance of Anthony Edwards' supporting cast stepping up, as he is expected to deliver another strong performance. The conversation touches on the pressure of game seven and the historical context of such games, with references to past performances by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, drawing parallels to the current situation.

10:04

๐ŸŒŸ Edwards' Opportunity to Shine and the Stakes for Both Teams

In the final paragraph, the focus is on Anthony Edwards' opportunity to prove his greatness in the high-stakes game seven. The panelists agree that Edwards has shown up in crucial moments throughout the playoffs, averaging over 30 points. They discuss the importance of the game for both teams, with the potential for the winner to have an inside track to an NBA championship. The discussion highlights the significance of the game for both Denver's chance at repeating as champions and Minnesota's rapid rise with Edwards at the forefront. The panel expresses excitement and anticipation for the monumental game ahead.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กTimberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are part of the NBA's Western Conference. In the script, they are facing a critical game that could lead to their elimination from the playoffs, highlighting the high stakes and drama of the situation.

๐Ÿ’กNuggets

The Denver Nuggets are another NBA team, also in the Western Conference. They are mentioned as looking to advance to the Western Conference finals, indicating their position in the playoffs and the importance of the games against the Timberwolves.

๐Ÿ’กElimination

Elimination in the context of the NBA playoffs refers to a team being removed from the competition after losing a series. The script discusses the Timberwolves facing elimination, emphasizing the urgency and pressure of their situation.

๐Ÿ’กWestern Conference finals

The Western Conference finals is a round in the NBA playoffs where the top teams from the Western Conference compete to advance to the NBA Finals. The script mentions the Nuggets looking to 'punch their ticket' to this stage, indicating their goal to progress in the playoffs.

๐Ÿ’กAnthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards is a professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The script highlights his performance, referring to him as 'the truth' and discussing his role in forcing a game seven with a significant victory, showcasing his importance to the team.

๐Ÿ’กGame seven

In a best-of-seven playoff series in the NBA, game seven is the decisive final game. The script discusses the anticipation and importance of this game, as it will determine which team advances.

๐Ÿ’กBlowout

A blowout in basketball refers to a game where one team dominates the other significantly, often leading to a large point differential. The script describes the Timberwolves' victory as a '45-point blowout,' emphasizing the extent of their win.

๐Ÿ’กNBA champion

The term 'NBA champion' refers to the team that wins the NBA Finals, the championship series at the end of the playoffs. The script mentions the defending NBA champion, likely referring to the Denver Nuggets, and their unexpected loss.

๐Ÿ’กMVP

MVP stands for 'Most Valuable Player,' an annual award given to the best performing player in the NBA. The script references a 'three-time league MVP,' possibly referring to a player on the opposing team, indicating their high status and expectations for performance.

๐Ÿ’กLegacy moment

A legacy moment refers to a significant event or performance that contributes to a player's or team's lasting reputation or legacy. The script suggests that game seven could be a legacy moment for Anthony Edwards, indicating the potential impact of his actions.

๐Ÿ’กSupporting Cast

In the context of a sports team, the supporting cast refers to the players who are not the main stars but still contribute to the team's success. The script discusses the need for the Timberwolves' supporting cast to step up alongside Anthony Edwards, emphasizing the importance of team effort.

Highlights

Timberwolves are facing elimination, and the Nuggets are looking to advance to the Western Conference finals.

Anthony Edwards' performance is pivotal as the Timberwolves force a game seven with a 45-point blowout of the Nuggets.

Edwards scored 27 points, leading the Timberwolves to a dominant win and showcasing his star potential.

The return of Mike Conley to the Timberwolves' lineup was a significant factor in their victory.

Stephen A. Smith discusses the psychological impact of the reigning NBA champion's loss and the response it may provoke.

The intensity of the series is highlighted by the players' reactions on the bench.

Stephen A. draws a parallel between the current series and the Chicago Bulls' performance in the 90s against the Knicks.

The importance of Anthony Edwards' performance in game seven is emphasized as a potential legacy-defining moment.

Jamal Murray's health and performance could be a deciding factor for the Nuggets in the upcoming game seven.

The discussion suggests that the outcome of game seven is unpredictable and could go either way.

The potential for Anthony Edwards to rise to the occasion against a three-time MVP is a key storyline heading into game seven.

The supporting cast's performance will be crucial for the Timberwolves, in addition to Anthony Edwards' expected contribution.

The pressure on Anthony Edwards to deliver in game seven is compared to the pressure on past NBA greats like Jordan and Kobe.

The winner of the game could potentially have a direct path to an NBA championship, adding to the stakes of game seven.

The game is set up to be a monumental moment for both teams, with implications for their respective legacies.

The anticipation for game seven is high, with both teams having the opportunity to make history.

Transcripts

00:00

Timberwolves facing elimination the

00:02

Nuggets looking to punch their ticket to

00:04

the Western Conference finals and now a

00:07

steel this could be fun Edwards to the r

00:11

this is the Minnesota timber wolves from

00:15

Game one and two Edwards all want to

00:18

move to

00:20

the a dominant

00:24

authoritative bounce back win from the

00:28

Minnesota Timberwolves

00:31

they know y'all was in there yeah I told

00:33

them I said I see y'all mother for game

00:39

seven Anthony Edwards is the truth the

00:43

Timberwolves force a game seven with the

00:46

45-point blowout of the Nuggets what is

00:49

going on with the series Edwards scored

00:50

27 points to pull the D- wolves out of

00:53

their midies slum deliver a Flawless

00:55

11570 victory over the nuggets in this

00:58

roller coaster series

01:02

you guys are facing elimination coming

01:04

in here like how what do you think led

01:07

to just the response that you guys had

01:09

tonight we got Mike Conley

01:11

back that was it did you really tell the

01:15

locker room Stafford in Denver you were

01:17

going to be back for hell yeah they know

01:19

y' was in there yeah I told them I said

01:21

I see y'all for game seven

01:24

yeah I love that energy and I need that

01:27

energy this morning good morning team um

01:30

Stephen Al say hi to you again because

01:31

obviously I didn't really give you a

01:33

good hello this morning Monica mcnut Tim

01:36

legler how's everybody doing we all good

01:39

we all Gooding great Friday all right

01:41

let's talk some playoffs here um tell me

01:44

this Stephen A what's statement did you

01:46

feel like the wolves

01:47

made well that was a beat down of Epic

01:50

Proportions we never saw a reigning

01:51

defending NBA champion lose in that

01:53

fashion I think the previous High the

01:56

previous length of a defeat by a

01:58

champion was by 36 points were down by

02:00

50 slew a dunks and and and step back

02:03

three-pointers uh he showed obviously

02:06

the Star the young star that he is he

02:08

responded to the challenge what I walked

02:11

away from y'all though was this as

02:15

Minnesota was winning and running away

02:18

with it and I mean really really running

02:20

away with it I saw yic on the bench he

02:24

was s he was not Ste sitting down he was

02:26

standing up and he was just staring at

02:28

them and had that look on his face like

02:31

I'm going to get you bastards I'm going

02:33

to get y'all I'm going to get y'all it

02:35

was it was one of those looks you know

02:36

what I'm saying I mean I obviously I

02:38

have Minnesota winning this series but

02:41

y'all y'all know this Monica because

02:43

because obviously you played Tim legler

02:45

because obviously we know what you've

02:46

done in in your NBA career and you've

02:48

been covering the league exceptionally

02:50

well for decades you know what that look

02:53

is about it's certain things that you

02:55

just see and it's one thing to just be

02:57

sitting on the bench it was a bad night

02:59

and you know you know damn we getting it

03:00

we getting it given to us and all right

03:02

that's fine but it's another thing

03:04

entirely when the Superstar who is the

03:07

best player in the world who is a

03:09

three-time league MVP and happens to be

03:12

the reigning defending NBA champions is

03:15

just standing there staring at them and

03:18

just looking not at his own teammates

03:20

looking at Minnesota like I'm G get

03:22

y'all I'mma get y'all for I'm not going

03:24

away and the only thing that I will say

03:27

is that Tim and Tim will remember this

03:29

Eminem I don't know cuz you might have

03:31

been too little little bit too young you

03:32

might have missed this the Chicago Bulls

03:35

the Chicago Bulls in the 90s obviously

03:38

With Champions and I remember in a

03:40

regular season wasn't a playoff game it

03:42

was a regular season game and the Knicks

03:44

were finally ready they were finally

03:46

ready Legs you know where I'm going here

03:47

you know where I'm going here and the

03:49

Knicks were finally ready supposedly and

03:51

the garden was packed Eminem and it was

03:53

shaking Chicago came into town and the

03:56

and the Chicago Bulls were getting blown

03:58

out of the building

04:00

they were down by 30 plus Jordan got

04:03

hurt in that game had to be taken to the

04:06

locker room remember this legs had to be

04:08

taken to the locker room it's a regular

04:10

season game Eminem but everybody knew

04:12

that the Knicks and the Bulls were on a

04:14

collision course Jordan has to go needs

04:18

help go into the locker room

04:20

Eminem and then comes back out and look

04:24

doesn't even look at Phil goes right

04:27

back in the game and is diving for loose

04:29

balls and everything and looking at the

04:31

New York Knicks y' y'all got to tell I'm

04:34

coming for y'all I'm coming for y'all

04:36

and it was that message and all of us as

04:38

Nick fans we were like oh

04:41

damn you know it's a blowout win but we

04:44

we we we don't know how advantageous

04:47

this is for us we got our little night

04:50

here but that man coming back and sure

04:53

enough he did and ultimately bounce the

04:55

Knicks out of the playoffs when the

04:56

playoffs arrived all I'm saying is I saw

05:00

a little something like similar to that

05:03

looking at yic last night when they were

05:07

down by by 50 he was looking at the

05:10

timber wolv was

05:12

like I'm GNA get y'all for this and

05:15

that's all I'm going to say about that I

05:17

that that gave me cause to

05:19

pause so Stephen A I did as well notice

05:23

that right and postgame yic was asked

05:26

about standing and I was kind of hoping

05:29

it was going to be

05:30

something mindful like I couldn't get

05:33

comfortable with that loss he said he

05:35

was trying to stay warm so that he could

05:37

go and lift which is his postgame

05:39

routine and allows him to stay in such

05:41

phenomenal shape which basically is not

05:43

getting comfortable same concept right

05:45

without saying it I feel where you

05:47

coming from but I I legitimately and I

05:51

know this is First Take You Got pick

05:52

aside all that I legitimately can see

05:55

this going either way I can see joic

05:58

being angry and leading the way um and

06:00

showing us and reminding us that he is a

06:02

three-time MVP and a reigning Champion I

06:04

can see this being the Legacy moment for

06:06

Anthony Edwards and his teammates

06:08

galvanizing around him I think as you

06:11

look at it the statement that the wolves

06:14

made is that they are in fact here but I

06:16

don't know if that is a new statement

06:19

that we didn't have from the first two

06:20

games if I'm honest about it right and

06:23

so I just think you saw them take the

06:25

level of competition and toughness up

06:28

another degree uh Anthony Edwards so

06:30

often in this series has talked about

06:31

finchy as he calls him which I think is

06:33

so adorable uh saying that A team's

06:35

gonna punch and so we need to punch back

06:37

the he the way that he was able to

06:39

Galvanize his team on both sides of the

06:41

floor the way Jaden McDaniels plays

06:44

obviously Mike connley is better in this

06:46

league we've talked so much about Carl

06:48

Anthony towns and Rudy Gober and them

06:49

needing to step up and for them to

06:51

answer in such an emphatic way I'm

06:54

willing to say that it's not about this

06:55

team arriving early like this this is

06:58

the year in their minds and it's very

07:00

very clear and I think that's the

07:01

statement that they made and I legit

07:03

game seven in my mind is an absolute

07:04

toss

07:07

up well here's the thing and I think

07:10

Michel Michael Malone Nika yic they're

07:12

going to remind their team of this right

07:13

this isn't about Point differential this

07:15

isn't the inseason tournament this is

07:17

the NBA playoffs and that's one game and

07:20

that's all it counts for is one game

07:21

just like game two when they were

07:23

completely dominated and suffocated

07:25

offensively counted as one game you

07:28

played a game late in the regular season

07:30

against this team to get home court

07:32

advantage they won that game that's why

07:35

this game seven is going to be in their

07:37

building that's what you played the

07:38

regular season for that's what you

07:39

played that game for so here we are now

07:42

having said all of that I'm gonna break

07:44

it down real simply this comes down to

07:47

Jamal Murray because when the

07:49

Minnesota have sensed that Jamal Murray

07:52

was not right which let's go back to

07:54

games one and two in those two games he

07:56

was clearly bothered by that calf to a

07:58

much greater that he was in game three

08:00

four and five they feasted on that they

08:03

pressured him they got up in people they

08:06

didn't have the ability Denver to run

08:07

their offense normally because they

08:09

literally could not get these dudes off

08:12

of them primarily because their point

08:14

guard was limited in the way he was able

08:17

to go about this he gets banged up again

08:19

yesterday they sense it he's not right

08:22

the entire game they Feast on it and

08:24

then it just piles up cuz Minnesota has

08:27

that kind of defense that they can get

08:29

this cumulative effect where you

08:31

literally become completely feudal once

08:34

they realize that you can't operate your

08:37

offense so this to me Sunday comes down

08:40

to Jamal Murray if Jamal Murray shows up

08:43

and Jamal Murray plays well and Jamal

08:45

Murray looks like Jamal Murray in big

08:47

games Denver Nuggets are going to be

08:49

just fine but we got to wait and see

08:52

what that's going to look like Monica I

08:53

agree with you right now as I'm sitting

08:55

here how can we possibly predict what

08:58

that's going to look like here's where

08:59

I'm going with this Tim you can say that

09:02

about Jamal Murray because obviously you

09:04

could also say that about jic because

09:06

obviously he's the most trustworthy and

09:08

I get that but if there was

09:10

ever an

09:12

opportunity for Anthony Edwards to subit

09:16

what greatness is it's this one because

09:20

the true measure of greatness as you

09:23

well know is what you do a in big

09:26

moments and B up against great

09:30

and so it's one thing for you to be in a

09:33

moment it's another thing when you're

09:35

going against a three-time league nvp

09:37

who is clearly the best in the world who

09:39

has proven he shows up in moments like

09:42

this time and time and time again and

09:45

doesn't Wilt beneath the pressure are

09:47

you going to follow this 27-point

09:49

performance where you exploded in the

09:51

first half are you going to follow

09:53

scoring over 40 in three of the previous

09:55

five games with a dud in game seven if

09:59

Anthony Edwards matches the greatness of

10:03

joic tit forat you're probably right

10:06

that it'll come down to a Murray or a

10:08

Gordon against a Carl Anthony towns or

10:11

someone else but the first order of

10:14

business for Minnesota is for Anthony

10:17

Edwards to be ready to be for

10:20

Minnesota what he has been primarily

10:22

throughout these playoffs where he's

10:24

averaged more than 30 recognizing the

10:27

fact that joic is coming he will be

10:30

ready I think that if any of us wanted a

10:33

Sure Fire Bonafide guarantee that mess

10:37

with our wallets we GNA bet on Jin

10:39

showing up for game seven the question

10:42

is are you going to be able to match to

10:46

a point where we're able to look at a

10:49

Carl Anthony towns or Rudy goell Mike

10:51

connley Jr a Nas Reed or somebody else

10:54

and say who's going to be that

10:55

supplementary piece that joined Anthony

10:58

Edward

11:00

because he's going to need it because

11:02

joic is going to show up and do his part

11:06

that is what we got to find out and it

11:08

starts usually I'm bringing up the other

11:10

pieces game seven that starts with

11:13

Anthony Edwards he got to show up and be

11:17

that dude for Minnesota on

11:21

Sunday I mean I think we all have and

11:26

there's Equity with yish that we all

11:28

acknowledge but it's not as if an has

11:30

not shown up in this series the question

11:32

has been to your point Stephen A his

11:34

Supporting Cast and so I just he as as

11:37

we've watched ant come into his own this

11:39

year in particular he

11:41

relishes uh sort of this I don't even

11:43

want to say villain but like he's his

11:45

level of competition is just so high and

11:49

so I'm pretty confident in Anthony

11:50

Edward showing up it's the rest of the

11:52

Timberwolves uh cast I listen I

11:55

appreciate your confidence I'm confident

11:57

too what I'm trying to say say is throw

12:00

games one to six out one to six out I

12:03

got throw the first round out throw the

12:05

regular season in the MVP consideration

12:07

out this is game seven this is game

12:10

seven and and and more importantly we

12:12

got to remind our audience of

12:15

this when you don't show up in a game

12:18

seven because you just don't have it

12:21

nobody's holding that against you

12:22

because the expectation wasn't there but

12:25

when you've had it for the most part

12:28

everywhere else but suddenly game seven

12:31

arrives that becomes your Epitaph We

12:34

Know listen Anthony Edwards is A1 he's

12:38

the you know he's the Jordan of the

12:39

Minnesota timber wolves he's the Kobe of

12:41

the Minnesota Timberwolves we understand

12:43

that Scotti Pippen wasn't Jordan but we

12:45

got to remember that damn migraine had

12:49

that come in a game five had that come

12:51

in a game three it would not have been

12:53

as memorable but because it was in a

12:56

game

12:57

seven you religious ly hold that against

13:01

them like like of all the games game

13:04

seven game seven is a different onus

13:07

it's a different obligation and Anthony

13:10

Edwards when we're talking about you as

13:11

a star my brother and you are make no

13:14

mistakes legs I give you the last word

13:15

all I'm saying to Anthony Edwards is oh

13:18

you got to be the dude that we saw in

13:21

the game seven you got to do

13:24

that Tim final word here yeah the last

13:27

thing I'm going to add to this the very

13:28

last thing I want to say real quick

13:30

here's what could be at stake on Sunday

13:33

this is how big and Monumental this is

13:34

you've laid it all out well like Legacy

13:36

game and all that for Anthony Edwards in

13:38

a moment that he absolutely has to show

13:39

up and be big the winner of this game

13:42

quite possibly has an inside track to

13:44

winning a championship which could mean

13:46

Denver Denver possibly repeating which

13:48

is a very difficult thing to do

13:50

historically and something Michael

13:51

Malone has challenged his team to do do

13:53

you just want to be a champion or do you

13:55

want to be historic and then you got

13:57

Minnesota this team that has risen so

14:00

quickly with the emergence of Anthony

14:01

Edwards and adding some veteran guys

14:03

with a unique size presence against a

14:05

team like Boston potentially look you

14:07

got to get past either Oklahoma City or

14:08

Dallas I'm not going to skip over that

14:10

but that could be what is that stake on

14:12

Sunday an inside track to potentially

14:15

winning an NBA championship man I cannot

14:18

wait for this game to get here

14:24

[Music]

14:30

he