Anthony Edwards, a star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, might already have the NBA dunk of the year even though it’s only March.
Edwards spearheaded a fastbreak following a steal in the third quarter of Minnesota’s 114-104 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. following getting the ball, he took off from the dotted line and elevated for a massive poster dunk over six-foot-nine Utah forward John Collins.
Edwards’ teammates were ecstatic about the highlight play, which quickly went viral on social media. The ‘Wolves bench was left reeling from the incredible dunk.
The players were left feeling the affects of the hard slam immediately afterward.
After being forced to exit the game, Collins had a head contusion diagnosed after a concussion was ruled out. Edwards said after the game that he dislocated his finger during the teammates’ harrassment of him as he was seen holding his hand. He went back to the locker room during a later stoppage, according to the NBA, to put it back in place and get it bandaged up before going back to the court.
After the game, Edwards reportedly remarked, “I was thinking I was going to miss [the dunk] because I wasn’t close to the rim, but somehow God willed it in for me,” Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune said.
The impressive effort Edwards had on Monday left the Timberwolves bench feeling encouraged.
The impressive effort Edwards had on Monday left the Timberwolves bench feeling encouraged.
“Dude, it makes me shiver.” Because, you know, I’ve always wanted to jump over someone like Vince Carter did, or like watch T-Mac (Tracy McGrady) dunk on someone like that. That was my all-time favorite dunker, and I had always fantasized of doing that to someone.
In light of the memorable poster he had against the Toronto Raptors during his rookie season, Edwards called the dunk the finest of his career during the broadcast.
On a night when Minnesota was missing its key big men, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, Edwards led the Timberwolves in scoring with 32 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and a steal.
According to the Star Tribune, Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley stated, “That’s what a leader does, man.” “He is carrying his team on his shoulders. Hey, it’s an important stretch for us,’ he says, putting aside his health to prioritize us. We must achieve these victories.
“I am his biggest admirer. Not just for the dunk, but also for dislocating his finger, going back to tape it up, and how he ended the game, he won me over once more tonight. When I’m old and gray, I’ll tell folks those stories.
Minnesota now has a 47-21 record on the year and is in the running for the first seed in the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are dominating the West, are currently ahead of the ‘Wolves by half a game.
The setback, however, drops the Jazz to 29-39; nonetheless, they received a lift from the return of former All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, who finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds in his first six games back. With 24 points coming off the bench, guard Collin Sexton led the club in scoring.
Following the game, Utah coach Will Hardy remarked, “I thought there was a lot of good stuff from the team tonight.” “Thank you, Minnesota… As usual, Anthony Edwards made some difficult shots in the fourth quarter. We, in my opinion, put ourselves in a winning position going into the fourth quarter. All you can ask for is a tied game at home.
The Jazz play the Thunder on Wednesday, and the Timberwolves return to the court on Tuesday night to play the Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, in the second leg of a back-to-back.
