Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is one of the league's boldest players, backing down from no one and nothing. And while Edwards' trash talk is part of who he is, he learned a hard lesson about waking a sleeping giant during last year's NBA Playoffs.
With emotions high after a thrilling Game 7 win in the Western Conference Semifinals, Edwards called his shot when looking forward to the Western Conference Finals, specifically the matchup with Mavericks star Kyrie Irving.
After dethroning the defending champion Nuggets in Game 7 of the second round in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Edwards was asked about the Timberwolves' upcoming matchup with the Mavericks. While seemingly innocent, Edwards shared his eagerness to match up with Irving.
"It's gonna be fun, man. You know, my matchup's gonna be Kyrie, so that's gonna be fun," Edwards told TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew. "We're gonna see what I can do versus him."
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 court in Game 1 of the series.
Following 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 'this is a nod of respect' and also, I knew what type of game it was gonna be," Irving said. "I was at home with my family, watching Game 7 and Ant comes out and says 'I got Kyrie,' but also that's a no-fear mentality and that's why we love Ant."
Irving went on to average 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.
Edwards' Regret: A Learning Experience
Months later, Edwards was featured in Netflix's "Starting 5" series. In it, viewers got an inside look at the Western Conference Finals battle while Edwards expressed regret for his call-out.
Late in the first half of Game 1, Edwards' mic captured him asking All-Defensive wing Jaden McDaniels to guard Irving. As evidenced by the numbers above, it was too late.
"I should have left Kyrie alone," Edwards said to Netflix. "Yeah, going and saying that, right after being dog tired fighting back from a Game 7. I wish I could go back and take that back."
The Impact of Words in the NBA
Edwards' experience serves as a reminder that words carry weight in the NBA, and confidence should be balanced with respect for opponents. His willingness to learn from this encounter positions him for growth, while fans can anticipate intense matchups in the future.
While Edwards’ confidence shows his competitive spirit, it also highlights the potential pitfalls of trash talk in professional sports. Irving’s ability to turn Edwards' words into fuel demonstrates the psychological edge players seek during critical matchups.
Looking Forward: Renewed Rivalry
As the season approaches, Edwards is expected to confront Irving again on the court. This rivalry could contribute to both players pushing their limits, drawing more attention to their matchups and reigniting competitive narratives.
Edwards may wish he could take those words back but rest assured he'll be back to his trash-talking ways during each matchup with Dallas — and the rest of the NBA — during his fifth season in the league.
