Anthony Edwards’ reception sets the stage for a breakthrough to the finals
When is it Minnesota Timberwolves tip off for 2025-26 seasonthey will have one of the NBA’s brightest young star on their side in Anthony Edwards. But as the three-time All-Star enters his sixth season in the league, one thing that still eludes him is an NBA Finals appearance. An NBA Finals appearance has also eluded the Timberwolves throughout their franchise history, and Anthony Edwards has been very candid about what he needs to do to make it. help lead the team thereaccording to Jon Kravczynski of Athletic.
“We’re not going to the finals without getting through Luka (Doncic) or Shai (Giljus-Alexander),” Edwards said. “I just have to keep improving. That’s the main thing.”
Anthony Edwards was referring to the last two Western Conference teams to reach the NBA Finals in the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively. Both seasons, Edwards and the Timberwolves lost to the Mavericks and Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. It’s important to note that Edwards went with Doncic last season when the Timberwolves eliminated the top-seeded Lakers in the first round.
For Timberwolves assistant coach Chris Hines, leading the team to their first NBA Finals appearance is the next step in Edwards’ career trajectory.
“He reached the Western Conference finals twice, which is hard to do. But he lost the same way,” Hines said, “At some point you have to step up. At some point you have to look in the mirror and say, ‘What do I have to do to get this?'”
During the Wolves’ run to the Western Conference finals last season, Edwards averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals on 45.3 percent shooting from the field, 35.4 percent from the three-point line and 71.9 percent from the free throw line.
David Iapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, covering men’s and women’s NBA, WNBA and NCAA basketball news. The Los Angeles native has op-eds with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Next Hoops.
2025-10-20 16:32:00
