The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, and one of the key reasons for their success has been the play of Jaden McDaniels.
A viral clip from an old Anthony Edwards interview has been circulating on social media, in which Edwards says, ‘They got KD, but we got Jaden McDaniels.’ The video has been used to show that something is delusional, but in this case, Edwards’ comments have proven to be true.
McDaniels has been a force for the Wolves in this series, averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He has also been a key defender for Minnesota, guarding both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker for long stretches.
In Game 2, McDaniels had 25 points and eight rebounds, while Durant finished with just 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting. The Wolves are now in a great position to close out the series in Phoenix, and McDaniels will likely play a big role in their success.
The Wolves finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency, and while Rudy Gobert gets a lot of the credit for that, McDaniels deserves a lot of praise as well. At 6’10 with a wingspan over 7 feet, McDaniels is a big, versatile defender who is the exact type of player the Suns are missing.
McDaniels vs. Durant doesn’t look like such a mismatch anymore, and Edwards knew exactly what he was talking about when he made that quote.
