The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently the hottest team in the NBA, having won 21 of their last 26 games. Led by Anthony Edwards, Minnesota completely embarrassed the Los Angeles Lakers, eliminating them from the playoffs in just five games. The Timberwolves consistently found ways to close out games—something the Lakers failed to do when given the opportunity.
Edwards is known as a fierce competitor, often talking smack and engaging in mind games. Throughout the series, he was jawing with LeBron James, bumping into him and doing whatever he could to get in his head. After clinching the series, Edwards roamed Los Angeles, making sure Lakers fans heard about it.
Game Five was a career night for center Rudy Gobert, who dominated the glass and found scoring opportunities with ease. The Lakers had no answers for him, allowing him to control the paint.
“Gobert came into Wednesday with 14 points combined through the first four games. He exploded with a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds on 12-of-15 shooting, becoming the first player with 25 points, 20 rebounds and 80% shooting in a series-clinching win in NBA history,” Kris Rhim wrote.
After the game, Edwards was asked about defeating the Lakers, but all he could do was praise the greatness of James.
“We beat the best player in the world. The best player ever,” Edwards told the media.
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James, now 40 years old, is nearing the end of his legendary career. Naturally, he was asked about the possibility of retirement after the game.
“I don’t know. I don’t have the answer to that,” James said. “It’s something I’ll sit down with my family, my wife, and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens.”
Edwards, just 23 years old, grew up watching James in his prime. Now, he has the surreal honor of saying he may have helped end the career of the player he idolized. But in the end, for Edwards, it’s all about respect.
