The first game of a six-game road trip to experience life without Karl-Anthony Towns, this is the kind of challenge made for Anthony Edwards. A fierce competitor, “Ant” answered the call in exceptional fashion for the Pacers. Best scorer of the night with his 44 units (to go with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 interceptions and 2 blocks), Edwards was decisive in Minnesota's success. His end of the match, on both sides of the field, is a model of its kind.
This morning, you will undoubtedly wake up with among the first images of this Thursday that of a flight at very, very high altitude. “ I hit the hoop, it really hurts, I've never jumped so high in my life » assured Anthony Edwards, yet one of the most aerial players seen on the floors in recent seasons. At 113-111 for the Wolves and seven seconds to play, the back missed a free throw which could have been crucial, offering a possibility of equalization, or even victory for Indiana. But Edwards did more than make up for it with one of the blocks of the season.
“The greatest action of my career”
The Minnesota All-Star asked no questions, his head literally in the circle. “ I hit my head, and it really hurts » smiled the hero of the evening, also falling on his wrist. “ This counter is pure will to win, and it is not something that can be learned »reacted Rudy Gobert, who knows a lot about the subject.
“ It's the best action of my young NBA career, it's clearly my favorite action » assured Edwards at a press conference, before deciphering, with a little confusion, these last seconds of madness. “ When I missed my throw, I saw Siakam on the right side of the field (editor's note, actually Aaron Nesmith) and I knew it was him I had to defend. So I ran towards him, I didn't see where the ball was at first. And then I saw the crowd go crazy, I saw Siakam dribbling and Mike Conley getting in his way, which was perfect. I just said to myself, 'From now on, if he dunks on me, he dunks on me, but I'm going to go get him.' I went all the way up there, and I got it. »
View from my seat pic.twitter.com/o0focCbqp1
— Jimi (@ThatJimiDude) March 8, 2024
In a very exclusive club with Kobe Bryant
This counter will remain as a snapshot of this match, and could even “hide” the entire work of Anthony Edwards. Because before this counter, the number 5 of the Wolves had made the total against the Pacers, completely taking the match into his own hands in the second period, particularly in money time. Edwards scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, 11 of his team's final 13 points, including the final eight. This, with some very, very high level shots, like his lay-up from the baseline a little over two minutes from the end, after having pierced a two-hander thanks to his staggered supports in the final seconds of possession.
“ His shooting tonight was next level » Indiana coach Rick Carlisle could only observe. “ Even when we defended two on him, he escaped us. He's a great player and that's why every second, every minute of a match counts. Edwards is very physical, and you have to defend physical players by playing physical yourself. We learned a lesson the hard way. »
For lovers of improbable stats, you should know that for 20 years, alone Kobe Bryant had scored the winning counter in the last three seconds of a match in which he finished with at least 40 points. Great company for Anthony Edwards, and a little more promise for his bright future.
