It’s Time for Anthony Edwards to Prove It

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been among the best teams in the NBA for the duration of this season. They put on a clinic in sweeping the Phoenix Suns, and Anthony Edwards has been in the thick of all of it. Now, up against elimination by the reigning champions, Edwards needs to prove his greatness once again.

It’s not as though Anthony Edwards hasn’t had a fine playoff run thus far. He poured in 44 points during a Game 4 loss that may have left him wondering if he had teammates at all. Still though, up against a Denver Nuggets team that with championship cred, Edwards needs to stoke the fire if all these “next face of the NBA” tags and Michael Jordan comparisons are going to continue.

Minnesota Timberwolves need Anthony Edwards to take another step

It’s sometimes difficult to remember that Anthony Edwards is just 22 years old. He has a level of maturity, both on and off the court, well beyond his years. Asking him to carry the load and come through with another Jordan-esque performance might not be fair. Right now though, it’s what is required of him.

Playoff career-high 44 POINTS for Anthony Edwards in Game 4.

Left it all on the floor.

His @Timberwolves will look to move to 5-0 on the road this postseason in Game 5 (Tuesday, 10:30pm/et, TNT). pic.twitter.com/0PSmhpIkR9

— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2024

Related: Anthony Edwards is Over the Michael Jordan Talk

At different points throughout the season Edwards has looked like a generational talent ready to take the league by storm. He went at Kevin Durant, a favorite of his, in the first series and put him down. While not playing directly against Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves need their superstar to show the greatness that is Anthony Edwards once again.

Nuggets vs Wolves Game 7 is up to Anthony Edwards

Basketball is a team game, but a single individual can have an impact over the course of 48 minutes more than almost any other sport. Chris Finch needs to see Rudy Gobert play like the Defensive Player of the Year, and Karl Anthony Towns has to contribute in a way that looks like a superstar. The only avenue to Game 7 though, is if Anthony Edwards has a moment in which he carries the team on his back.

It’s not as though the Timberwolves need 60 points or a triple-double from Anthony Edwards to compete. What they need is the type of performance where it feels like he simply dominated the game. Returning home to the Target Center, with fans begging for this run not to be over, Edwards can provide another milestone in an early career full of them, and the series would go back to Denver for a winner-take-all tilt.

Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards on Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic’s Game 5: “I just laugh. That’s all I can do. I can’t be mad. … He’s the MVP. He’s the best player in the NBA. He showed it the last three games. … He was special tonight. I have to give him his flowers. He was that guy.” pic.twitter.com/C0x3kylQS2

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 15, 2024

Whether veteran point guard Mike Conley is able to play on Thursday night or not, Minnesota must find a way to be better collected and remain within themselves. Showing signs of frustration and allowing cracks to show through on the court, Edwards can help to provide a presence well beyond his years.

Related: Kendrick Perkins Takes Anthony Edwards + Michael Jordan Comparisons to Another Level

Minnesota is certainly not going to be given belief by many outside of the locker room, but what Anthony Edwards does on the court in what may be the biggest game of his career, can change that notion in a hurry.