One thunderous dunk offered an ideal snapshot of Anthony Edwards’ second-half dominance Monday evening.
Edwards threw down a monster slam over John Collins of the Utah Jazz within the third quarter, serving to the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-104 victory however leaving each gamers banged up after the play.
“I used to be considering I used to be going to overlook it as a result of I wasn’t near the rim, however by some means God willed it in for me,” mentioned Edwards, who scored 25 of his 32 factors after halftime.
The play instantly went viral on social media. Timberwolves veteran level guard Mike Conley mentioned it may need been the perfect dunk he is ever witnessed in particular person.
“He is like a cat nearly,” Conley mentioned. “He simply retains going ahead and lands on his toes. Stuff like that’s what makes him who he’s and why he can maneuver within the recreation how he does.”
Edwards mentioned he grew up idolizing gamers like Vince Carter who have been identified for his or her dunking means. Dunking the best way they did has at all times been a aim for Edwards.
His slam on Monday evening actually put him in that class.
“It provides me chills, man, as a result of I at all times dreamed of dunking on someone like that,” Edwards mentioned.
Collins and Edwards have been each injured on the play. Edwards dislocated his left ring finger after his hand collided with Collins’ cheekbone. He raced again to the locker room throughout a subsequent timeout, popped the finger again in place, bought it taped up and returned to motion.
Collins was dominated out for the complete fourth quarter whereas being evaluated for a attainable concussion. His damage was later confirmed to be a head contusion.
Edwards’ dunk gave a short-handed Minnesota staff an emotional enhance throughout a vital stretch. The Timberwolves misplaced Naz Reid to a first-half head damage and have been already taking part in with out injured starters Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities.
“It provides all people vitality,” Edwards mentioned. “It makes all people need to defend, need to get stops. It makes the sport extra thrilling.”
Edwards additionally totaled eight assists, seven rebounds and two blocks over 38 minutes. His relentless vitality on each ends of the courtroom put the Jazz on their heels all through the second half.
“That is who he’s,” Utah coach Will Hardy mentioned. “He is an All-Star. He is a hell of a participant.”
Edwards has had three consecutive 30-point video games. He is averaged 31.5 factors in back-to-back wins over Utah on 58% capturing from the sphere.
“He is at all times been a man who can actually flip a recreation round,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch mentioned. “Is aware of when to lift it. Is aware of when to make the massive play. Can typically make it out of nothing. However now he is like far more polished with what he is doing. He is a bit of extra composed, not dashing it as a lot.”
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