Anthony Edwards dominated the Phoenix Suns and his childhood idol, Kevin Durant, in more ways than one on Saturday in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff series-opening 120-95 win.
Not only did Edwards score 33 points and hit a decisive 3-pointer in Game 1 of the first-round series, he also went after Durant verbally on the court at Target Center in Minneapolis.
After making several 3-pointers, including one over Durant late in the third quarter that extended Minnesota’s lead to 16, Edwards took jabs at the Suns’ star forward as they went back down the court, with Durant simply grinning and shaking his head at the interaction.
Afterward, the 22-year-old Edwards explained why the moment was so big for him.
“I think everyone here knows that’s my favorite player of all time,” Edwards said. “So that was probably one of the best feelings ever in my whole life.”
Durant, 35, said he didn’t take issue with Edwards’ actions.
“It’s just basketball,’’ Durant said. “Not even playoffs, it’s just hoop. You get hot, you make shots, you make tough shots, you’re gonna feel excited about yourself. So it’s on me to keep coming back.”
Edwards ended up with 18 points in the third quarter, part of a game-high 33 points, while Durant led Phoenix with 31.
Durant said of Edwards’ performance, “He got it going, he made some tough ones.”
And Edwards had more praise for Durant.
“Did you see him in the third quarter?” Edwards said of Durant. “I felt like we were supposed to be up 15, 18 in the third quarter early. And if I’m not mistaken, he made four or five straight buckets like it was nothing. And I became a fan at one point. I was out there like, ‘[Damn], he’s nice.’ There’s nothing we can do… I’m looking at the stat sheet, he’s 11-for-17 [from the field]. He missed six shots and had 31. I mean, he’s the greatest to ever do it, man. Big tip of my hat to him, he’s the best.”
The Timberwolves will host the Suns on Tuesday in Game 2 before the series travels to Phoenix on Friday.
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