NEW YORK – The Timberwolves had a lot of reasons why they lost to Brooklyn 110-105 on Friday night. They were without Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out after injuring his tailbone on a fall Wednesday, and their offense stalled for just one field goal in the final five minutes of a close game.
It was hard to guard Kevin Durant, who scored 30 points, especially with the Wolves missing not just Towns but also prime defenders Patrick Beverley and Jaden McDaniels.
But as Anthony Edwards stared down with a sheepish smile at a box score after the game, there was only one reason for the loss coursing through his mind — himself and his career-worst eight turnovers.
"I didn't come out and give a winning effort tonight, at all," Edwards said. "If they don't want to put it on me, put it on me. Everybody put it on me. It's on me. And I'm going to say it with a smile. Put it on me. I got to be better and I'm going to be better."
Edwards started playing back the turnovers in his mind — a pass out of bounds here and there, a travel, a backcourt violation in the first quarter — so many careless turnovers that could have turned into points had he just been more mindful.
"My trainer just texted me and was like 'Game on Monday. Don't worry about this game. It's game over.' " Edwards said. "I can't forget about it, but I'm trying to forget about it, for sure."
It was almost a night to remember for the Wolves, who never trailed by more than seven against the title-contending Nets and fought through Durant and James Harden (20 points) going a combined 24-for-28 from the free-throw line.
The Wolves had a 101-99 lead with 5 minutes, 26 seconds remaining but scored only four points the rest of the way, despite having multiple tries to tie or re-take the lead. Finally, Durant hit a jumper with 11.3 seconds remaining to put the Nets up five and seal the Wolves' fate.
