Minnesota Timberwolves all-star guard Anthony Edwards has seen double teams more frequently this season, to the point where he reached out to Michael Jordan on how to handle the pressure. In three games in February Edwards is averaging 37 points, 7.3 rebounds, shooting 38.9% from three-point range, and 94.6 from the free throw line (35-37). There’s no doubt the frontrunner for MVP right now is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but if the Wolves keep winning and Edwards keeps putting up gaudy numbers he will get some votes at the end of the year.
Over the last 18 games, Edwards has averaged 32.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 46/44/87 splits, 63% true shooting, 12-6 record.
Here are a few records that Edwards has met or will meet in the future. He’s only 23 years old.
- Timberwolves all-time leader in three-point field goals (1,001)
- Timberwolves all-time leader with 40+ point games (14)
- Third Timberwolf player with back to back 40 point games
- Youngest player in NBA history to have 1,000 career 3-pointers
- First NBA player to record at least 40 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, and 5 three-pointers in a single game.
Naz Reid Seizes Starting Role with Stellar Play
The Timberwolves will have a tough decision when Julius Randle is back healthy in a few weeks. Naz Reid has played great since being inserted into the starting lineup. In the four games as a starter, he’s averaging 18.7 PPG, and 7.3 RPG while shooting 39.4% from 3-point range which is lower than his season average of 41.7%. Since the start of January, Reid has been on fire from beyond the arc, shooting a league-leading 54.3% from 3-point range.
The added minutes have also allowed Naz to hit the glass and grab more rebounds which he’s doing at a career-high pace in February. It will be interesting to see if he returns to the sixth-man role where he has thrived.
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Timberwolves’ Young Core Makes Strong Case for Increased Minutes
The Timberwolves’ young core, comprised of Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, and Terrence Shannon Jr., is brimming with talent. Dillingham has demonstrated tantalizing glimpses of his talent, suggesting he could be the starting point guard down the line. For now, though, he must earn Coach Finch’s trust, as his current inconsistency has kept him from securing a regular spot in the rotation.
Terrence Shannon Jr.’s journey has included G League assignments, movement between the Timberwolves’ active roster, and time spent on the injured list. Now he’s fully healthy and showed last night with his monster dunk why he needs to be on the floor more. He’s 6′ 6” with sky-high potential and has a very athletic game, he needs to work on his on-ball defense and have better awareness, if he can put it all together watch out Wolves fans.
Minnesota found an absolute diamond in the rough with Jaylen Clark. He missed his entire rookie season with a ruptured Achilles tendon but was cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities this summer. He has been key to Minnesota’s defensive approach, mainly guarding the 1st or 2nd best scorer on the other team. he has also shot the three-ball at a 47% clip in 10 games this season. The 23-year-old’s comeback from injury to earn a rotation spot is a testament to his dedication.
Jaylen Clark on the last week of being part of the Wolves rotation: “It’s surreal. It shows how fast everything can go, how the opportunities come and you gotta take full advantage of it, because if I wasn’t ready in the Phoenix game I’m probably back in Iowa right now, just keeping it a buck.”
The Wolves will have another big decision to make when off-season acquisition Donte DiVincenzo comes back from a nagging toe injury. He is about a week to two weeks away from returning. This is certainly a good sign for the Timberwolves.
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