Postgame presser with Towns showed how Edwards has grown as a leader

PHOENIX – After the Timberwolves swept their playoff series against the Suns, fans got a little glimpse into the leadership style of Anthony Edwards.

Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns did their postgame interview together at a small table near the locker room, and Towns was asked a question about how he navigated this series, then came up with his best performance in Game 4, a 122-116 victory, with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Edwards instead answered the question and said Towns played so well on Sunday night because he finally didn't get in foul trouble, something Edwards had been pleading with him to stop doing.

"Let me just say, tonight he wasn't in foul trouble," Edwards said. "The first three games … he just kept fouling. What did I tell you last game?"

Towns answered: "Find a way not to foul them"

Then Edwards continued his point.

"If you watch the game, every time in the third quarter when we would grow a lead, it's because he's in the game. They don't have a matchup for him. I'm like,'KAT, we not going to win Game 4 if you keep fouling.' We just got to keep him from getting in foul trouble and he's gonna be great every night."

The moment was a candid snapshot of how Edwards can be around teammates and how the Wolves can communicate with each other — direct and without mincing words. Edwards isn't afraid to tell Towns what he might not want to hear but needs to hear. Edwards has been using his voice in more ways to assert his leadership on this Wolves team at 22.

"It's been incredible," center Rudy Gobert said. "I've watched him grow, watched him learn and evolve as a leader, as a player, as a man, too.

Added assistant Micah Nori: "One thing about Ant, he's become more of a vocal leader. But he's also one of those guys that he puts in the work, so guys see him working. He's got some self humor — you've seen all of his interviews — he's the first one to congratulate and move all of his glory or whatever over to his teammates."

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