SACRAMENTO – The clock ticked off less than 10 seconds in the Timberwolves’ 117-115 victory over the Kings. Sacramento wasn’t just going to let Anthony Edwards take Keegan Murray one-on-one. Edwards had the ball in his hands near center court, and as he dribbled, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox came across with a double-team from his man, Mike Conley. What happened next showed the difference between Edwards in year five of his NBA career and years three and four.

The old version of Edwards might have tried to take on the double team and settle for a contested jumper. That’s probably what Sacramento was hoping for in that situation. Another version of Edwards may have tried to pass it, but he may have looked to his left, away from where the double team would come.

The Wolves and coach Chris Finch have spent the last few years trying to make the right, simple play in these situations, and on Thursday, Edwards did exactly what they told him to do. His instincts and decision-making finally came together, and that was one of the reasons the Wolves won.

“Two years ago, maybe a year ago, I probably would have tried to go left and take a step-back jumper. But you’re supposed to mature as you get older,” Edwards, all 23, said with a smile. “I played a mature game and made Finchy happy by getting to the rim. I’m pretty sure if I had settled for a jumper I would have heard about it by now. That was the only thing on my mind: going downhill.”

Edwards made a quick pass from the right to Conley, and Fox scrambled back. Conley immediately threw it back to Edwards and the game was on. Conley has been telling Edwards for years to trust him in situations like this to get him the ball back. After the game, Conley seemed relieved that Edwards finally listened to him. Edwards told Conley he better give him the ball back.

“He better give it back or I’m going to put him in a chokehold,” Edwards said.

Once he got it back, Edwards didn’t settle for a jumper. He attacked the edge. With Fox neutralized, Edwards drove around Murray and got to the rim where Domanatas Sabonis fouled him with 2.4 seconds to play. Edwards hit the two free throws (he went 7-for-7 from the line as part of his 32 points) and after Murray missed at the other end, the Wolves won what was a close game en route for their first win of the game. season.

“A few years ago he probably would have shot the three,” said Naz Reid, who had 19 points off the bench. “But him being aggressive in attack mode, going downhill, whether he’s finishing the layup or getting fouled, that’s a plus for us. He goes to the rim so hard that he will definitely get the call or finish.