1. Anthony Edwards
He has arrived.
If it wasn’t obvious, Anthony Edwards has worked his way out of his late-season shooting slump. He averaged 31 points, eight rebounds, and 6.3 assists in the 4-game sweep versus the Suns in round one—including a 40-point masterclass to close out the series in the final game.
Anthony Edwards is 22 years old…
— NBA University (@NBA_University) April 29, 2024
Dominating physically, mentally, & skillfully. 4-0 series. Smooth Pull-up Js. Cooking with old-school footwork. Bullying with freakish strength & explosiveness. Clear alpha leadership mentality. Ant checks every box you want from a superstar. pic.twitter.com/XhLecqfuDD
As mentioned previously, the Nuggets have some solid perimeter defenders they can throw at Edwards, but adding Towns to the mix should provide enough spacing for Edwards to attack the rim in this matchup.
But more than anything, the Wolves star guard must be the X-factor in this series. The Wolves will need his playmaking and fearless scoring when the team goes through dry spells and in late-game situations. They’ll need Edwards on defense to help contain the Nuggets’ wings and guards that play off of Jokic. And perhaps most importantly, they’ll need his leadership in difficult situations.
History shows that teams don’t get far in the playoffs without a bona-fide superstar, and if it wasn’t already confirmed before the series against the Suns, Edwards is exactly that. We’ve seen Edwards do special things so far this postseason, and the Wolves will need him to be special if they hope to take down the defending champions in the Conference Semifinals.
The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, but the Timberwolves have Anthony Edwards. Get your popcorn ready as this battle between the two squads could be one for the ages.