Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Lights Up Nuggets in Game 1 Road Win

May 5, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Anthony Edwards stole the show in the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ 106–99 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Edwards went off for 43 points on 17-of-29 shooting and tallied seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks against the Nuggets. It marked his third career 40-point playoff game, the most in Timberwolves franchise history.

In the process, Edwards joined some elite company.

Edwards became the second player in NBA history to notch consecutive 40-point playoff games at age 22 or younger. The other player? Kobe Bryant. Edwards is also just the 10th player in NBA history to register at least 35 points in three consecutive road playoff games. That list is pretty impressive, too.

Per STATS: Anthony Edwards is the 10th player in NBA history to record 35 or more points in three straight road games in a single postseason.

Players With 35+ Points in 3 Straight Road Playoff Games in a Single Postseason

LeBron James (3x)
Kevin Durant (2x)
Kobe Bryant (2x)…

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 5, 2024

NBA legends, pundits and fans alike all chimed in on social media impressed with the Timberwolves guard’s Game 1 performance:

Never really understood the thing where some NBA fans just root for players but damn…Anthony Edwards is converting me into one of them

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) May 5, 2024

Ant looked like a 2.0 version of mid-2000s Wade in that game. That was sick.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 5, 2024

Watching Anthony Edwards play basketball pic.twitter.com/iXBZEfxYnm

— NBA University (@NBA_University) May 5, 2024

🎶🎶🎶Like ANT
I want to be like ANT
I wanna be I wanna be like ANT 🎶 🎶🎶

— jason concepcion (@netw3rk) May 5, 2024

We’re all witnessing something truly special with this guy, man.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) May 5, 2024

The Timberwolves and Nuggets return to action Monday for Game 2 at Ball Arena.

6 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Anthony Edwards Explained Why He Wants Michael Jordan Comparisons to ‘Stop’

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has been the center of many elite NBA comparisons after his incredible Game 1 performance vs. the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals on Saturday.

After scoring his postseason career-high 43 points in the Timberwolves' victory on Saturday, multiple NBA stars and analysts have compared Edwards to a young Michael Jordan. Even ESPN's Kendrick Perkins and Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green referred to the 22-year-old as the next big player in the NBA.

When asked how he feels about these comparisons to Jordan, Edwards told Fox Sports' Melissa Rohlin that it should "stop."

"I want it to stop," Edwards said. "He's the greatest of all time. I can't be compared to him."

Despite many people comparing him to the six-time NBA champion, Edwards simply rejects the comparison and doesn't feel any pressure to play like Jordan necessarily.

"No, no pressure," Edwards said. "It's just not possible."

Edwards's 43 points made him just the second player in NBA history to score consecutive 40-point plus points in playoff games at the age 22 or under. The only other player to do so was Kobe Bryant. Edwards averaged 31 points per game in the first round series sweep of the Phoenix Suns.

31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Anthony Edwards Doubles Down on Promise to Get to Finals in Ad Day After Elimination

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards' season is over, with the Timberwolves bowing out Thursday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 124-103.

However, Edwards's story is still in its opening chapters. At the age of 22 this season, Edwards was named an All-Star for the second straight year, made second team All-NBA, and garnered down-ballot MVP votes—all while taking Minnesota to its first conference finals in two decades.

Friday morning, Edwards assured fans in an Adidas ad that he'd be back. The promo depicts Edwards being read "receipts" from celebrities such as longtime NBA forward Carmelo Anthony and rapper Cam'ron.

This is only the beginning.
#BelieveThat #adidasbasketball pic.twitter.com/amEFPFIurv
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) May 31, 2024

"I ain't tryna rub it in, but they saying this the furthest y'all gonna get," the last says.

Edwards chuckles pointedly.

"This only the beginning," Edwards vows. "'Cause I'm not who they think I am. I'm better. Believe that."

Edwards's first sneaker, the AE1, has received highly positive industry reviews throughout 2024.

31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Timberwolves Coach Throws Shade at Mavericks, Refs Before Game 5

Just about 90 minutes before the opening tipoff of Game 5, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made sure to point out an issue he has with the Dallas Mavericks and the officials working the Western Conference finals.

Finch was asked by The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski what he would like to see Anthony Edwards do better while guarding Mavericks star Luka Dončić in Game 5.

"He does a better job getting through all those illegal screens they set for Luka," Finch said.

"With Ant, what do you hope that he does well to at least make it a little bit hard on Luka?"
"He does a better job getting through all those illegal screens they set for Luka." - Chris Finchpic.twitter.com/iSDZUsjRPY
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 30, 2024

Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, who was named to the All-NBA Defensive second team this season, primarily handled the matchup against Dončić over the first three games of the series. But the Wolves swapped the assignment in Game 4, switching McDaniels over to Kyrie Irving and putting Edwards on Dončić.

Dončić averaged 32.7 points over the first three games of the series and scored 28 in Game 4, but Edwards had noticeably more energy on the offensive end while not having to chase Irving around on defense.

Game 5 between the Timberwolves and Mavericks is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday at Target Center.

US Sports News

Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Lights Up Nuggets in Game 1 Road Win

Related Posts

Jimm Sallivan