NBA

GP2 guides Warriors to victory by stifling Edwards in crunch time

Adam IversonDecember 9, 2024February 25, 2025

GP2 guides Warriors to victory by stifling Edwards in crunch time originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO With the Warriors leading by six and less than 10 minutes remaining, the streaking Minnesota Timberwolves called upon their firebrand leader. Anthony Edwards strolled to the scorers table with one job: Take his team to the finish line.

The Warriors immediately countered, summoning Gary Payton II. The defensive specialist checked in for one purpose: Do not let Edwards take his team home.

Payton succeeded at platinum level. Diving inside Edwards jersey, GP2 created much of the pressure that suffocated Minnesotas offense down the stretch Sunday night, allowing the Warriors to walk off the Chase Center floor with a stirring 114-106 victory.

They were aggressive on him, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said of the Payton-led defense on Edwards.

That aggression was cranked to optimal when it had to be. The Warriors had seen Edwards work two nights earlier, when he scorched them for 30 points 11 in the fourth quarter in a 107-90 victory. They did not care to see an encore.

Ant is an incredible player, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Edwards. Late in the third quarter, he had it rolling. At that point, its just put your best defender on him. You dont really want to send a double team because you got other guys knocking down shots . . . we just wanted Gary to play him straight up, give him some help in the gaps, trying to make things crowded without double-teaming.

With Payton as the primary defender throughout, Edwards picked his spots and was effective for three quarters, scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Paytons primary impact was forcing turnovers, as Edwards committed four through three quarters.

Edwards fourth quarter, however, was one hed like to forget. Payton victimized him for a steal 24 seconds after subbing in and another with 1:01 remaining that led to a Buddy Hield 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 112-106 lead. In addition to the two late turnovers, Edwards was 1-of-7 from the field in the fourth.

Probably tougher than Friday night, Payton said, recalling Edwards heroics. A guy like him, you cant let him get comfortable early. I just try to disrupt him and make him work earlier in the game. Try to just continue to wear him down, wear him down. He was making shots. Then, at the end, strap up and make plays.

With the game at stake, GP2 was in Edwards hair like new dye. The Warriors followed that lead, blocking four shots in the fourth with Payton recording one and limited the Timberwolves to 16 points on 6-of-21 (28.6 percent) shooting from the field.

Payton scored on two points in the quarter, shooting 1-of-4 from the field, but none one was more impactful in keeping Minnesota from making a move.

He just has a way to figure it out, Stephen Curry said. And the last five minutes of tonight . . . He played well all game, but that last five minutes just trying to give Anthony Edwards as much hell as possible, thats who he is.

With Andrew Wiggins out with an impingement in his right ankle, Kerr shuffled the lineup. In addition to Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Curry, Buddy Hield was given his first start of the season. Payton was in the starting lineup for the third time.

Without Wiggs, we wanted to start Gary on Ant and just have our best defender on him right away, Kerr said. Garys also historically really good with Steph. And then we felt like we had to get Buddy going, and the best way to do it is to put him out there with that group.

The decision to start GP2 began with a suggestion made by Pabail Sidhu, the teams analytics and innovation guru. In addition to the typically strong numbers when Payton and Curry are sharing the court, there also was, well, that Edwards guy.

Asked about the key to the fourth quarter that devastated the Timberwolves, Kerr didnt hesitate.

Gary. Also, the help behind him, he said. Draymond and JK both made some good plays at the rim. Draymonds help allows Gary to maintain that pressure on Edwards and trust that hes got help behind him. Gary was just brilliant tonight.

Edwards, 23, is among the emerging faces of the NBA. Effervescent, athletic enough to enter any dunk contest and leading the league in 3-point makes. For three quarters, he was terrific.

The fourth, however, belonged to Payton, a basketball vagabond until landing with the Warriors three years ago at age 29. And one who has not seen his last start of the season.

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