Exclusive: Kendrick Perkins hits Thunder with ‘killer' Anthony Edwards Game 5 warning
The post Exclusive: Kendrick Perkins hits Thunder with 'killer' Anthony Edwards Game 5 warning appeared first on ClutchPoints.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins says their series against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves is far from over. If there's one thing Perkins has learned about Edwards, it's his ability to respond amidst playoff adversity. It's why he wasn't surprised when Anthony scored 30 points while guiding Minnesota to a 143-101 blowout win in Game 3.
Advertisement
With his back against the wall, Edwards turned in his best game of the series.
'In a situation like that, the one man that I won't bet against is that guy right there because he has a lot of pride,' Perkins said of Edwards. 'Now, I'm not picking them to win the series, but when you talk about on the verge of being swept and protecting your crib, I knew he was going to come out and set the tone. I think that's the energy coach Finch was talking about when he called him out [after] Game 1 of, I think, it was the last series.'
After a lackluster shooting performance in Game 4, Edwards shouldn't need Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch to call him out as a source for motivation. For Perkins, Ant-Man's response in Game 5 will happen organically, facing the league's MVP in Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the brink of elimination is enough to spark what could be an epic performance at the Paycom Center.
'He's a giant killer. Just think about how he got to each Conference Finals, who he had to go through, who he put to bed, tucked them in,' Perkins said. 'It's just growth. The growth of him as a leader. We know he got the game, but you're watching him now; he continues to provide more. He's giving them more offensively, especially from a scoring standpoint. He's every former player's favorite player.'
Advertisement
Edwards and the Timberwolves will look to keep their season alive on Wednesday.
Kendrick Perkins picks Thunder, sends Anthony Edwards warning
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
In a two-point victory, the Thunder took a 3-1 lead in Game 4 against the Timberwolves. For Perkins, the Thunder's depth will be the difference in how they ultimately reach the NBA Finals.
'I just think if you look at the Thunder, they got so many guys that can cut you any which way but loose,' Perkins said. 'And when you have a veteran and a champion like Caruso, that makes you even more dangerous.'
The Thunder will look to end the Timberwolves' season in Game 5.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
DraftKings Promo Code: Claim $300 Bonus For MLB, U.S. Open Final Round
New users can score $300 in bonus bets on Sunday's MLB games or the final round of the U.S. Open when they sign up for a new sportsbook account with the DraftKings promo code. Just click here to start the sign-up process and bet $5 on any market and secure your reward if your bet wins. Sunday's MLB slate features plenty of interesting matchups, including Yankees-Red Sox and Dodgers-Giants. These games, along with the conclusion of the U.S. Open, provides plenty of chances for new users to score $300 in bonus bets with the DraftKings promo code offer. DraftKings Promo Code Offers $300 MLB, U.S. Open Bonus DraftKings Promo Code Sign Up Through Our Links – No Code Needed New User Offer Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets In-App Promos MLB Parlay Profit Boost, U.S. Open Mystery Boost, WNBA SGP Boost, etc. Terms and Conditions New Customers – 21+ in Eligible States Bonus Last Verified On June 15, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek Sports Betting Staff This offer is a great chance for new users to start off their accounts the right way, but keep in mind that you must win your $5 bet to secure the $300 in bonus bets. If you plan to bet on one of Sunday's MLB games, you might want to look into some prop bets instead of making a simple moneyline bet. Predicting the number of strikeouts a pitcher records or if a player will get a hit is likely easier to predict than the outcome of a game. You could also bet on where a player will finish in the U.S. Open for Sunday, too. Regardless of the sport you want to bet on, make sure your wager has odds of -500 or longer. Once you place that bet, wait for it to settle. If your bet wins, you will receive 12 $25 bonus bets that are valid for the next seven days. Father's Day Highlights At DraftKings Once you are set up with your new DraftKings Sportsbook account, you can take advantage of various in-app offers, including profit boosts, for Sunday's events. These are available for MLB games and the U.S. Open. Now is also a good time to sign up before the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final end. There will be in-app promotions that you can take advantage of for those games as well. The NBA Finals continues on Monday night with Game 5, while the Stanley Cup Final could conclude with Game 6 in Florida on Tuesday. How To Sign Up With DraftKings Promo Code All you have to do to claim this promo is click here or on any of our links and then create an account. You will automatically be given the welcome offer by clicking our link. To set up your account, you will be asked to provide basic identifying information, like your name, address, date of birth, and more. From there, you will just need to make an initial deposit that covers your $5 bet. Once you place that opening wager, wait for it to settle. If your bet wins, you will get your $300 in bonus bets that are valid for the next seven days. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Paul Pierce on guarding Kobe Bryant: 'I saw Jordan's reflection'
Late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was a persistent dream come true for countless fans of the franchise. He helped lead the Lakers to five NBA championships and had numerous moments of transcendent individual personal greatness that no one will ever forget. But for players and fans of other teams, he was a frightening nightmare. While no athlete has ever been truly unstoppable, Bryant reduced many defenders to rubble throughout his 20-year career. Advertisement When he faced the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, Paul Pierce spent time trying to guard him. Pierce admitted on Fox Sports 1's "Speak" how difficult it was for him to go up against the "Black Mamba." "If I had to sum it up in one word -- just one word -- facing Kobe was stressful," Pierce said. "... It was hard to get sleep because now you going against the Mamba -- the second coming of [Michael] Jordan. I idolized, but when I saw and looked at Mamba's eyes, I saw Jordan's reflection. "... This guy, he just showed us he could go for 60 in a half." Pierce's Celtics got the best of Bryant and the Lakers by winning the 2008 title in six games. But after defeating the Orlando Magic in the 2009 finals, the Lakers went up against the Celtics again in the 2010 championship series, and this time, they prevailed in seven games. Even when Bryant shot poorly versus Boston — and he certainly had some bad shooting games in the finals versus Boston — he kept coming and remained aggressive. Simply the fact that he continued to attack offensively put pressure on whoever was trying to guard him. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Paul Pierce on guarding Kobe Bryant: 'I saw Jordan's reflection'
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Paul Pierce on guarding Kobe Bryant: 'I saw Jordan's reflection'
Paul Pierce on guarding Kobe Bryant: 'I saw Jordan's reflection' Late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was a persistent dream come true for countless fans of the franchise. He helped lead the Lakers to five NBA championships and had numerous moments of transcendent individual personal greatness that no one will ever forget. But for players and fans of other teams, he was a frightening nightmare. While no athlete has ever been truly unstoppable, Bryant reduced many defenders to rubble throughout his 20-year career. When he faced the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, Paul Pierce spent time trying to guard him. Pierce admitted on Fox Sports 1's "Speak" how difficult it was for him to go up against the "Black Mamba." "If I had to sum it up in one word -- just one word -- facing Kobe was stressful," Pierce said. "... It was hard to get sleep because now you going against the Mamba -- the second coming of [Michael] Jordan. I idolized, but when I saw and looked at Mamba's eyes, I saw Jordan's reflection. "... This guy, he just showed us he could go for 60 in a half." Pierce's Celtics got the best of Bryant and the Lakers by winning the 2008 title in six games. But after defeating the Orlando Magic in the 2009 finals, the Lakers went up against the Celtics again in the 2010 championship series, and this time, they prevailed in seven games. Even when Bryant shot poorly versus Boston — and he certainly had some bad shooting games in the finals versus Boston — he kept coming and remained aggressive. Simply the fact that he continued to attack offensively put pressure on whoever was trying to guard him.
