It’s not easy making Nikola Jokic not look like the best player on the floor, but Anthony Edwards did. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard dropped a playoff career-high 43 points to lead his team to a Game 1 road victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Fans have commented about how Edwards is cut from the same cloth as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but he has been incredible on his own so far in the playoffs. Erik Spoelstra once compared Edwards to Dwyane Wade, and the comparisons are all valid.
Edwards scored 26 points in the first half alone to carry the Wolves after Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels combined for only two points. They eventually found their stroke, but the night was all about Edwards.
When the Wolves needed a dagger to finish the defending champs, the 2020 first-overall pick answered the call. He made a turnaround fadeaway over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to extend the lead to 11 with 1:37 to play. When the Nuggets got to within five, Edwards drove the length of the floor for a layup to seal the deal.
At 22 years old, the things Edwards did were superstar material. After the game, he credited the summer he spent with Team USA, preparing him for the long NBA season.
“Big shoutout to Team USA. They got me ready for the season. I appreciate that. My teammates trust me in critical moments of the game and I came through for them.“
Anthony Edwards thanking Team USA
Series Not Over
Of course, it’s never wise to count out the defending champions. Jokic had 32/8/9, but nobody besides Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray scored in double digits.
Minnesota held Murray scoreless in the first half, so perhaps Denver should get him going early in Game 2. That’s easier said than done, especially when a 6’9″ small forward shadows him all night.
Game 2 will be in the Ball Arena on Monday at 10 PM EST.
