Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has a relentless motor and level of competitiveness at just 22 years of age that most players in the NBA don’t have at any point in their NBA careers and it showed down the stretch of the Timberwolves’ overtime win over the Boston Celtics earlier this week.
Edwards took over during the overtime period to propel the Timberwolves to victory, scoring eight of his 38 points. It was a massive statement from Edwards and the Timberwolves, handing the new-look Celtics their first. Edwards rose to the occasion after Celtics star Jayson Tatum was jawing at him during the late stages of the game.
After the game, Edwards told reporters that "He [Tatum] was talking smack, I told him ‘I’m coming again’." Edwards had five fouls and was one away from being disqualified from the game, but that didn’t stop him from going right at Tatum defensively during overtime. Instead, he got more physical with Tatum, forcing him into a turnover.
It’s been an excellent start to the season for Edwards and the Timberwolves. They’re 5-2 through their first seven games of the season, good for third in the Western Conference.
In addition to Edwards’ stellar start to the season, the Timberwolves rank first in the NBA in opponent points per game allowed (101.1). If Edwards can maintain this level of intensity throughout an 82-game season while the Timberwolves continue to play elite defense, this team has the potential to be a serious threat in the West.
