Anthony Edwards had no clear answer Friday when asked how the Minnesota Timberwolves can close the distance between themselves and the Western Conference's two elite teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The question, posed after a 139-109 Game 6 loss to San Antonio, landed without a clean response.

"I don't know man," said Edwards when asked what needs to happen for the Wolves to close the gap on the Spurs and Thunder. "I don't think that's a question for me."

Minnesota finished the season 13 wins behind second-seeded San Antonio and 15 behind defending champion Oklahoma City. Three of the Wolves' four losses to the Spurs came by margins of 38, 29 and 30 points.

Edwards played through injuries to both knees throughout the series, performing at roughly 70 percent of his normal athleticism by the team's own assessment. He scored 24 points in the finale despite the physical limitations.

Chris Finch was more direct in framing what the franchise must confront this offseason.

"You either gotta be a problem or have a solution," said Finch. "You have to be built in a way that troubles your opponent with something they don't have or have something to counter what they do have."

Edwards turns 25 in August and enters his prime. Minnesota's front office faces urgent decisions about how to upgrade the supporting cast around him before the window narrows further.

"I wasn't expecting to be going home this early," Edwards said, "so I haven't thought about what I'm going to add to my game."