The Timberwolves drop Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals in Dallas, 108-105, after Minnesota’s Democratic governor drops his secret remarks.
Popularized by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the phrase “Bring Ya A**” was surreptitiously included in a proclamation from Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday before his team spoiled Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Visiting Dallas Mavericks.
“Bring Ya A**” was Edwards’ way of inviting TNT’s Charles Barkley to the Land of 10,000 Lakes following Minnesota’s Western Conference semifinal victory over the defending champion Denver Nuggets. When the NBA legend turned analyst confessed that he hadn’t been to Minnesota in 20 years, Edwards laughed and told Chuck to do just that.
But on Wednesday, before the Timberwolves’ 108-105 loss in Game 1, Walz issued a proclamation declaring it: “Wolves Back Day.”
Only for anyone who noticed the first letter of each paragraph, the proclamation contained a hidden message: “BRING YA A**.”
Edwards’ viral response was also used by the Minnesota tourism website as they prepared to host the first pair of games in the series.
Mavs’ Kyrie Irving drives past Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Wednesday night
Tim Walz slipped a hidden message into Wednesday’s Timberwolves proclamation
Anthony Edwards’ Viral Response to Charles Barkley Became Minnesota Tourism’s New Catchphrase
The Minnesota tourism website made “Bring Ya A**” its slogan after Edwards’ clip went viral.
On Monday, the ExploreMinnesota Instagram page posted photos of the city’s tourist attractions with “bring you a**” written in capital letters in the center.
“Minnesota is ready for you, basketball fans!” Let’s go @timberwolves’, the page captioned the page.
Additionally, one of the images became the banner on the website’s home page, saying: “Welcome to a state of possibility.” Whether you’re planning a visit or thinking about a move, Minnesota is ready to welcome you. In other words… BRING YOURSELF A**. The tourism office also coded the URL bringyaa**.com to direct to its website.
Unfortunately, Minnesota’s last vacation ended in defeat as Luka Doncic scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks earn a 108-105 victory over the Timberwolves.
Kyrie Irving scored 24 of his 30 in the first half for the Mavericks, who trailed 102-98 after an Edwards three-pointer with 3:37 left before an 8-0 run that the Wolves took have stopped until a tip-in with 10.5 seconds left.
Jaden McDaniels had his third straight 20-plus point game with 24 points for the Wolves, but Edwards — who earned his first second-team All-NBA selection before the game — was choked for 19 points in an effort team of the Mavericks. Karl-Anthony Towns needed a late surge to reach 16 points and finished 6 of 20 from the floor.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (left) and Charles Barkley (right) both had fun
Luka Doncic scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to lift Dallas to a 108-105 victory.
Edwards scored 19 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists in Timberwolves’ loss
The star power in this series is strong, and for the first night at least, the Mavericks got what they needed from their main duo while the Wolves largely struggled to direct the offense around theirs.
Dallas had a 62-38 advantage in points in the paint.
Towns came alive with a long jumper, a lob to Rudy Gobert for a slam and a 3-pointer on a 2-minute burst to give the Wolves the lead again with 4:39 left on the way to a 10-run run -0. that Doncic finished with a three-pointer. PJ Washington, who had 13 points and seven rebounds, hit from distance to put the Mavericks back in front with 1:56 remaining.
Towns thought he had tied the game with a step-back dunk on the next possession, but it was overturned for field goal interference.
Edwards, who was scoreless in the third quarter, added 11 rebounds and eight assists.
The second game will take place in Minneapolis on Friday evening.
