The Minnesota Timberwolves let a 14-point halftime lead slip away Thursday night, falling 120-115 to the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. And if you ask Anthony Edwards, he’s not deflecting blame-he’s owning it.
“If I play half like myself tonight, we win the game,” Edwards said postgame. “So I don't really blame anybody but myself.”
It was Minnesota’s fourth straight loss, dropping them to 27-18 on the season. And for a team that has spent much of the year near the top of the Western Conference, the recent skid is starting to sting. Edwards, who’s become the emotional and competitive engine of this Wolves squad, knows his performance sets the tone-and on Thursday, he felt he didn’t bring enough.
The 24-year-old guard finished with 20 points, but it came on a tough 9-of-25 shooting night. He added six rebounds and three assists, but foul trouble early on disrupted his flow. He picked up his second foul in the first half and never quite found his rhythm after that.
“I thought it was gonna be a pretty good night until I got my second foul,” Edwards said. “That kind of messed everything up, but I still have to find a way to get my rhythm back. But I think I just never got it back after that.”
That kind of accountability is what you want from your franchise cornerstone. Edwards isn’t just one of the Wolves’ best players-he’s their tone-setter.
When he’s locked in, the rest of the roster tends to follow. When he’s off, like he was Thursday, the ripple effect is noticeable.
Even with Edwards struggling, Minnesota had their chances. Julius Randle put together a strong performance, leading the Wolves with 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Naz Reid gave them a major spark off the bench, stuffing the stat sheet with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks. His energy and versatility continue to be a bright spot during this rough patch.
Anthony Edwards tonight, saying it boiled down to him just needing to play better. pic.twitter.com/xDzULuCT8C
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) January 23, 2026
But the Bulls, now 22-22, were relentless in the second half. Coby White and Jalen Smith came up big down the stretch, knocking down clutch free throws and making key plays to seal the win. Chicago’s comeback was fueled by tough defense and timely buckets, and Minnesota just couldn’t match it late.
For the Wolves, the loss is a wake-up call. They’ve been one of the league’s more consistent teams this season, but four straight losses-especially one at home after leading by double digits-can shake a team’s confidence. Edwards knows that, and his willingness to take responsibility speaks volumes about his leadership.
The good news? There’s no time to dwell.
Minnesota gets a chance to snap the skid on Saturday when they host the Golden State Warriors. And if Edwards finds his rhythm early and leads with the kind of fire he’s known for, don’t be surprised if the Wolves bounce back in a big way.