Charles Barkley Calls Out Anthony Edwards After Game 1 Letdown vs. Warriors

When you bring the smoke, you better be ready to walk through it. That’s the message Charles Barkley had for Anthony Edwards after a sluggish Game 1 performance against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

Edwards came into the series talking confidently, even saying he wanted the Warriors. But when the lights came on, the Timberwolves star didn’t deliver early. Sure, he finished with 23 points, but don’t let the box score fool you. He had just one point in the first half, and his energy was nowhere near the level expected in a second-round playoff opener.

What Did Coach Chris Finch Say?

Minnesota head coach Chris Finch didn’t sugarcoat anything during his postgame comments. He went straight to the point and called out his young star’s leadership.

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“What is there to talk about? You’re the leader of the team. You have to come out and set the tone,” Finch said.
“If you’re shot is not going, you still have to carry the energy.”

Finch made it clear that energy and effort are non-negotiable. You can have an off night shooting, but the one thing you can always control is how hard you play.

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That type of direct challenge isn’t something every coach is willing to make in public. But Finch knows what’s at stake, and he’s trying to get the best out of Edwards.

What Did Charles Barkley Say About Edwards?

If you thought Finch’s words were strong, Charles Barkley took it to another level on TNT’s postgame show.

“He brought all this smoke. He said he wanted the smoke. He wanted the Warriors and he got them,” Barkley said.
“He had one point at halftime and his energy level was down. That, to me, is what coaching is about.”

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Barkley didn’t hold back. And let’s be honest, that’s why we love Chuck. He calls it like he sees it. He praised Finch for stepping up and challenging his player publicly and made it clear that Edwards had failed to back up his talk.

“You can’t come out and talk all that and have one point. Plain and simple,” Barkley added.

That’s the kind of tough love that can go one of two ways. It could light a fire under Edwards or mess with his confidence. But knowing Ant’s competitive nature, it’s likely to push him.

Was This Just on Edwards?

Not entirely. While Edwards was clearly the focal point of the criticism, the whole Timberwolves squad fell flat in Game 1. The team shot just 39.5% from the field and a brutal 17.2% from three-point range. That’s not going to win many playoff games.

No one else really stepped up to carry the load. The Warriors clamped down on defense early, and Minnesota never found their rhythm.

Can the Timberwolves Bounce Back?

That’s the big question now.

Game 1 was a gut punch, but this series is far from over. One key factor that could shift things? Stephen Curry’s health. The Warriors’ star left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury, and his status for Game 2 is still uncertain.

If Curry is limited or sidelined, it could be the opening the Timberwolves need to bounce back strong.

What Should We Expect From Edwards in Game 2?

After getting called out by both his coach and Charles Barkley, you can bet Anthony Edwards is going to show up with a lot more fire in Game 2. He’s a proud player. He’s ultra-competitive. And he knows this team feeds off his energy.

It’s not just about scoring. It’s about attacking early, showing fight, and playing like the leader everyone expects him to be.

Game 2 might just be the moment where we find out what Anthony Edwards is really made of.

FAQs

Q: Why did Charles Barkley criticize Anthony Edwards?
A: Barkley called out Edwards for only scoring one point in the first half and lacking energy after talking big before the series.

Q: What did Chris Finch say about Edwards’ performance?
A: Finch said Edwards failed to lead the team with energy and that playoff intensity should never need to be discussed at this stage.

Q: What went wrong for the Timberwolves in Game 1?
A: The team shot poorly from both the field and beyond the arc, and no one stepped up to help carry the offense.