Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards creates history with monster playoff debut

Benyam Kidane

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Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards creates history with monster playoff debut image

Anthony Edwards has arrived!

Coming off a monster game in their Play-In victory over the LA Clippers, Edwards kept it rolling in his playoff debut, powering the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 130-117 win over the Memphis Grizzlies to steal home court advantage. 

It might have been his first-ever playoff game, but you could hardly tell as the sophomore went off for 36 points, six assists and two blocks on 13-of-23 from the field and 4-of-11 from the 3-point line. 

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Edwards' 36 is the most points scored by a Timberwolves player in their first career playoff game, beating Stephon Marbury's previous high of 28 points. Only two players in NBA history have scored more points in a playoff game before turning 21 years old in Magic Johnson (42) and Tyler Herro (37).

Edwards is also the third-youngest player behind Derrick Rose and Herro to score 35-plus points in a playoff game.

The 20-year-old torched the Grizzlies with a mix of confident drives to the hoop, off-the-dribble 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers, keeping the defense guessing with his offensive arsenal.

"Ant's in a real great groove right now, everything he's doing is really definitive," Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said postgame.

"He's being sharp, he's getting into his stuff quick, he's making the right reads more often than not, he's really confident in his shot.

"...We've always talked about a sense of the moment, a sense of timing and the ability to raise his game and maybe that's what we're seeing."

Edwards wasn't the only Timberwolves player to make a statement Saturday night. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns also poured in 29 points, 13 rebounds and three assists on 11-of-18 shooting, delivering the play of the game with this poster jam over Jaren Jackson Jr. 

With confidence riding high among the Timberwolves squad, they will look to keep things rolling in Game 2 Tuesday night in Memphis.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.