By james art Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is one of the grittiest players in the league who doesn’t back down from anyone or anything. And while Edwards’ antics are part of who he is, he learned a hard lesson about awakening a sleeping giant during last year’s NBA playoffs.
With emotions running high after a thrilling Game 7 win in the Western Conference Semifinals, Edwards paid for his chance as he looked forward to the Western Conference Finals, specifically the matchup with Mavericks star Kyrie Irving.
Irving and the Mavericks had the last laugh in 2024, but with that streak in the past, the rivalry will be renewed during the three regular season meetings between Dallas and Minnesota in 2024-25. Here’s what Edwards said about Irving and why it started to regret his words.
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What did Anthony Edwards say about Kyrie Irving?
After dethroning the defending champion Nuggets in Game 7 of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, Edwards was asked about the Timberwolves’ upcoming matchup with the Mavericks. Despite appearing innocent, Edwards shared his eagerness to face Irving.
“It’s gonna be fun, man. You know, my matchup is going to be Kyrie, so it’s going to be fun,” Edwards told TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew. “We’ll see what I can do against him.”
“My match is going to be Kyrie, so it’s going to be fun. We’ll see what I can do against him.”pic.twitter.com/QfR6ZHqraH https://t.co/H9SqL6CKKC
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 22, 2024
Three days later, Irving scored 24 first-half points (on 11-of-14 shooting) en route to a 30-point, five-rebound, four-assist performance to help Dallas steal home in Game 1 of the series.
After his performance, Irving told “Inside the NBA” that he used Edwards’ words as motivation.
“When I was sitting at home and I saw it, I was like, ‘that’s a nod of respect,’ and I also knew what type of game it was going to be,” Irving said. “I was at home with my family watching Game 7 and Ant comes out and says, ‘I got Kyrie,’ but it’s also a no-fear mentality, and that’s why we love Ant.”
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Irving averaged 27.0 points, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds in the series as the Mavericks eliminated the Timberwolves in five games to advance to the NBA Finals.
Months later, Edwards was featured in the Netflix series “Starting 5.” In it, viewers got an inside look at the battle in the Western Conference Finals as Edwards expressed regret about his call.
Late in the first half of Game 1, Edwards’ microphone caught him asking All-Defensive wing Jaden McDaniels to guard Irving. As the numbers above show, it was too late.
“I should have left Kyrie alone,” Edwards told Netflix. “Yeah, to go and say that, right after I was tired, struggling from Game 7. I wish I could go back and take that back.”
Anthony Edwards during WCF Game 1 + a look back at the series:
“Jaden [McDaniels] you got Kyrie, I’m tired… I should have left Kyrie alone by saying that… I wish I could go back and take that back.’
(via Launch 5 @netflixh/t @kyriecenterig)
pic.twitter.com/vymeWApZlu— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) October 9, 2024
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Edwards might want to take those words back, but rest assured he’ll be back to his bullshit during every game with Dallas — and the rest of the NBA — during his fifth season in the league.