Edwards: 'It's exciting for me' to lose in WCF

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards isn't upset after his team was eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.

"I don't know why people would think it would hurt, it's exciting for me," Edwards said following the 124-94 loss in Game 5, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I'm 23. I get to do it a whole bunch of times. I'm hurt more so for Mike (Conley). I came up short for Mike."

Conley just finished his 18th NBA season but has yet to win a title. The Timberwolves have now lost in the Western Conference finals in two consecutive seasons.

"We tried last year, we couldn't get it," Edwards said. "We tried again this year. We'll try again next year. But hurt is a terrible word to use. I'm good."

The guard put up 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting in the Game 5 defeat, marking the third time he scored less than 20 points in the series. But Edwards wasn't alone in his struggles: The T-Wolves shot 41.2% from the field and 35.3% from three in Game 5. Nickeil Alexander-Walker went 0-of-8 in the series finale, while Jaden McDaniels shot 2-of-13.

"They were the better team, they came out and beat us, punched us in the face," Edwards said. "And we lost the game, we lost the series."

But, despite the loss, the young star is still proud of his team's achievement.

"We did pretty good this year, man," Edwards said. "We just came up short again. Try to do it again next year."