Anthony Edwards’ Monster Playoff Debut Led The Timberwolves To A Game 1 Win Over The Grizzlies
For the second time since the conclusion of the 2004 postseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves have won a playoff game. Minnesota, the 7-seed in the Western Conference, traveled to Memphis to take on the 2-seed Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon, and despite a productive game from Ja Morant, the Timberwolves were able to steal homecourt advantage away with a 130-117 win.
The charge was led by Anthony Edwards, who was nothing short of magnificent in his playoff debut. After having a monster play-in game against the Los Angeles Clippers to secure a postseason berth for the Timberwolves earlier in the week, Edwards went out and had the fourth-highest scoring debut in NBA playoff history. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft went for 36 points on 12-for-23 shooting and connected on four of his 11 attempts from deep. Only two players in Timberwolves history — Sam Cassell and Troy Hudson, with the former hitting the 40-point mark twice — have scored more points in a playoff game.
Anthony Edwards' jumper looking smooth early in Game 1
GM 1 T-Wolves/Grizzlies#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Pd0GFWmpEZ
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2022
KEEP IT GOING ANT
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
that A1 pull up is special pic.twitter.com/pO2N2Q6RU5
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
WATCH YA HEAD.
ANT'S COMING THROUGH pic.twitter.com/WpCN4y40y0
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
that's a BUCKET
pic.twitter.com/xot64tx0gU
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
A1 IS COOKIN'. pic.twitter.com/pDROWvAGVC
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
AE making it look easy…he's up to 19 points in the first half for the T-Wolves.
MIN 59 | MEM 51
Q2 3:00#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on ESPN pic.twitter.com/U4RECAL8zn— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2022
There was nothing that the Grizzlies could do, as Edwards — as confident as ever — was in total control of his game. His ability to scorer was nothing short of effortless, as he kept getting to his spots and knocking down shots.
HE'S DOING THIS IN HIS FIRST PLAYOFF GAME. pic.twitter.com/uJXBroyb1F
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
juice is temporary.
SAUCE IS FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/u4BmFe1OYT— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
we're running out of captions…
ANT 3⃣ pic.twitter.com/zo90sLbe8c
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
ANT EUROSTEP
pic.twitter.com/qqmrQZLwTX
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
He even flashed some comfort as a distributor, racking up six assists on the day.
BEAUTIFUL BASKETBALL pic.twitter.com/UdrLvkJlUr
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
Edwards was not the only Timberwolves player to show out. Karl-Anthony Towns responded to a bad game against the Clippers be going for 29 points and 13 rebounds, including a poster dunk on potential Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.
HIS NAME IS KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on ESPN pic.twitter.com/EOzUXtmqBj
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2022
Morant’s 32 points and eight assists led the way for Memphis, will Dillon Brooks providing another 24 and the frontcourt combination of Jackson and Brandon Clarke combining for 25 points, 16 rebounds, and seven blocks.
Game 2 between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves will tip off on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
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