Minnesota opened Tuesday’s win over Miami with an action designed to get Donte DiVincenzo a touch.

Anthony Edwards brought the ball up the floor and attempted to get the ball to the sharpshooter, but Norman Powell – who went over the top of the off-ball screen – poked the pass away.

Edwards collected the loose ball, got a ball screen from Rudy Gobert and buried a triple.

There was a dead ball on Miami’s ensuing offensive possession in which Edwards and DiVincenzo convened to discuss the coverage, at which point Edwards shouted to his teammates, “Run the same play.”

This time, Minnesota took advantage of the aggressive coverage on DiVincenzo, running the shooter through the entire action that featured three separate screens. A patient Edwards hit the guard in the corner for an open catch-and-shoot 3-point attempt. It didn’t fall, but it was a great look generated by good offense.

And it was identified by a star guard who’s growing more and more comfortable with what he’s being asked to do.

“He’s really settling into kind of his point guard mentality, but still maintaining his aggressiveness,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “Figuring out ways to get his teammates involved, whether it be with the screening off the ball, I think he’s done a good job with that, calling their number, just keeping it simple.”

Simple, easy, consistent. Those words haven’t always defined Edwards’ loud brand of basketball, but they were adjectives to define Tuesday’s performance.

His shot diet was exemplary, firing off-the-dribble triples when opponents abandoned the arc while dropping back in pick and roll coverage. He attacked the rim at other points via tactical prods. He found a number of catch-and-shoot chances while playing off the ball.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and forward Julius Randle (30) celebrate after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

The latter portion of his offensive game continues to grow, as he ran around screen actions with the necessary force, while relocating around the arc and cutting to make himself available in other instances.

As the point, he identified proper sets to get teammates involved, while setting a tone of transition via his own attacks and by intentionally seeking out hit ahead passes to get the ball up the floor.

It was far from the helio-centric offense Minnesota has at times played with the star guard.

The willingness to modify his offensive approach opened up natural windows for others to be aggressive. It was Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the first half. It was Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo in the second, all supplemented by a steady dose of Edwards throughout the evening.

The Wolves’ top six rotational pieces all scored 12-plus points.

Edwards still scored 26 points in 29 minutes – a higher rate of points per minute (.89) than he’s averaged throughout this prolific offensive season (.84). Equally efficient, less exhausting.

Isolation basketball is hard. It requires a significant amount of effort to create and make shots when the entire defense is designed to stop you from doing just that.

What Edwards is starting to do on the offensive end looks far easier, and seems to be freeing up energy to expend on the defensive end.

The performance he put forth in that department — the end of the floor on which he’s been disappointing for much of the season — against Miami was outstanding. He walled up his man in isolation situations countless times. Edwards was only credited with one steal, but twice his defensive pressure resulted in his man losing the ball out of bounds, and on another occasion it led to an errant pass that resulted in a Naz Reid interception returned for an easy fast break layup on the other end.

Perhaps more significant was Edwards’ attention to off-ball responsibilities. He was in the proper gaps, providing the proper help. He was one of Minnesota’s best low-man defenders in the paint.

Opponents defended by Edwards are shooting just 7 for 22 from the field over Minnesota’s last two outings.

“His defense has been great the last few games,” Finch said.

On one possession, Edwards was hesitant to step into the lane to help, as he assumed Rudy Gobert had the situation handled in pick and roll coverage, as he often does. But Miami scored at the rim.

Edwards went over to the center after the play, discussed the situation, patted Gobert and moved forward.

The superstar was quiet, consistent and efficient, setting the tone for Minnesota’s third-straight workmanlike victory. He is orchestrating the team’s preferred brand of basketball on both ends of the floor with great success.

On the floor following the win, Rudy Gobert was asked how good the Timberwolves can be when they consistently play this way.

“A championship team,” he replied.

That is still Minnesota’s ceiling, but it requires consistent effort, tenacity and attention to detail. How much better are the Timberwolves when their best player is driving the bus in those “little things” departments, as he’s been doing of late?

“Exponentially,” Finch said.

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