T-Wolves' Edwards admits failed late-game gamble was 'dumb mistake'

Anthony Edwards is taking responsibility for his failed gamble at the end of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Game 5 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

After hitting a game-tying three with 3.7 seconds remaining, Edwards tried to steal Memphis' inbounds pass. However, the Timberwolves guard whiffed, giving Ja Morant an open lane to sink a last-second layup and hand the Grizzlies a 3-2 series lead.

"I had already had my mind made up that I was going to try and steal it. Dumb mistake," Edwards said, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. "It's over, though, so can't do nothing about it."

Minnesota led by 13 points with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. However, Memphis clawed back to take a one-point lead after Morant's 3-pointer with just over one minute remaining. Morant then hit a pair of free throws to put the Grizzlies up three moments before Edwards' game-tying shot.

"It's a tough pill to swallow," Minnesota big man Karl-Anthony Towns said, according to The Associated Press. "You feel like you got it after all the mistakes. You feel good about going into overtime and having a chance to win the game."

Overall, the Timberwolves held Memphis to just 25% shooting from beyond the arc. However, Minnesota committed 22 turnovers, six more than the Grizzlies' 16.

"You feel like the game we played today and the defense we played today, a lot of us felt, from media to fans to ourselves, you feel like you win this game," Towns said, per Krawczynski.

Despite the disappointing loss, Edwards, who finished with 22 points while struggling with foul trouble in Game 5, is ready for Game 6.

"I'm looking forward to Friday because all the pressure is on," he said. "It's time to show up. I'm thinking everybody is ready."

The series shifts to Minnesota on Friday as the Timberwolves will attempt to extend their season.