Anthony Edwards calls his struggling Timberwolves `soft' and `just a bunch of little kids'

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In his four-plus NBA seasons, Anthony Edwards has never been afraid to speak his mind.

But the Minnesota Timberwolves star was particularly candid in a profanity-laced explanation of his team's recent struggles following a 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

“I think it’s we soft as (heck) as a team, internally,” Edwards said. “Not to the other team, but internally, we soft. We can’t talk to each other. Just a bunch of little kids. Just like we playing with a bunch of little kids. Everybody, the whole team. We just can’t talk to each other. And we’ve got to figure it out, because we can’t go down this road.”

Minnesota reached the 2024 Western Conference finals. But the Timberwolves have lost four in a row and seven of nine after starting 6-3 this season. A lineup that experienced a significant shakeup late in the offseason with the Karl-Anthony Towns trade still looks disjointed at times.

That includes blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead against Sacramento a day after losing 117-111 in overtime to Houston at home.

“We look like frontrunners for sure tonight,” Edwards said Wednesday. "We was down, nobody wanted to say nothing. We got up and everybody (was) cheering and (hyped up). We get down again and don’t nobody say nothing. That’s the definition of a frontrunner. We as a team, including myself, we all was frontrunners tonight."

“Everybody right now is on different agendas," he added. "I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing.”

Edwards, who led the Timberwolves with 29 points on 9-of-24 shooting, didn't only admonish his teammates after the game. More than once, he could be seen communicating demonstratively in the huddle with Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and others.

Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo were the top gets in the October trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks before the start of the season. Both have experienced up-and-down starts to their Twin Cities tenures.

Towns, meanwhile, has settled in comfortably with the Knicks.

Edwards said this isn't just about the new guys, though.

“I’m talking about the whole team,” Edwards said. “However many of us it is, all 15, we go into our own shell and we’re just growing away from each other. It’s obvious. We can see it. I can see it, the team can see it, the coaches can see it.”

So can the fans, who voiced their collective displeasure more than once Wednesday night.

“The fans (are) booing us,” said Edwards, whose team is 8-10 heading into Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. "That (stuff) is crazy, man. We’re getting booed in our home arena. That’s so (freaking) disrespectful, it’s crazy.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) celebrates after scoring a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch watches the action during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) dunks while Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) elevates to shoot against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) while Kings center Alex Len, right, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) passes the ball while Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles around Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and center Rudy Gobert (27) react during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to an official's call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Jokic scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first quarter alone to rally Denver from an early 12-point deficit.

Jamal Murray added 22 points, eight assists and four steals for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Christian Braun finished with 18 points and seven boards.

Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 26 points. Keyonte George scored 23, including five 3-pointers. Walker Kessler chipped in with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

Utah played without injured starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.

Denver broke open a close game behind a 21-4 run extending from the middle of the second quarter into the third. With three baskets apiece, Murray and Porter fueled the spurt, which gave the Nuggets a 70-53 lead.

Utah trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

Nuggets: Jokic proved too much for the shorthanded Jazz to handle. His efficient offense helped Denver turn a sluggish start into a blowout victory.

Jazz: Micah Potter and Svi Mykhailiuk made their first starts of the season. They combined for 16 points, and Potter grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.

After George tied it on a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter, the Nuggets held the Jazz to two baskets during an eight-minute stretch spanning the second and third quarters.

Denver scored 28 points off 18 Utah turnovers. Takeaways also helped the Nuggets tally 33 fast-break points.

The Nuggets play at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, while the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) shoots as Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) and guard Julian Strawther, right, defend, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) takes the ball to the basket against Jazz guard Keyonte George and Jazz forward Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson (5) and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun is guarded by, Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun looks to pass as Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, and Utah Jazz forward Drew Eubanks, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) gets past Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) as he goes to the hoop, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)