In scoring 31 points against the Utah Jazz in a blowout victory, Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Anthony Edwards made franchise history, breaking the team’s record for the most 30-point games in a single season with 26.
Most 30+ point games in a single season in @Timberwolves history:
26- Anthony Edwards (2023-24)
25- Kevin Love (2013-14)
24- Anthony Edwards (2022-23)
21- Karl-Anthony Towns (2016-17)
20- Karl-Anthony Towns (2018-19) https://t.co/RQUD4NESTE— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) March 17, 2024
The previous record was set exactly 10 years ago, with Kevin Love scoring 30 or more points in 25 games. Love, then at the height of his powers, also recorded a double-double in 21 of those games. Notably, Edwards had 24 games of 30 or more points last season. This may have foreshadowed him eventually becoming the record-holder.
Anthony Edwards Breaks Longstanding Timberwolves’ Record
Just 22 years old, Edwards is in the midst of a career season.
He’s averaging career-highs of 26.5 points and 5.0 assists per game, numbers that saw him earn his second straight All-Star appearance. He’s also shooting a career-high 46.5 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from 3, having become increasingly effective as a jump shooter.
It’s easy to take these types of performances for granted with the bloated scoring numbers fans have become accustomed to in the most recent stage of the 3-point era. However, players like Edwards don’t come along often. His numbers from this season are evidence of that. Setting a franchise record in just his fourth season is also evidence of that.
Compared to five-time MVP Michael Jordan by a noteworthy sports figure in Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, Edwards has breathed life into his most high-end NBA comparisons.
“Edwards is lke 84′ Jordan.” @KevinGarnett5KG with HIGH PRAISE for Anthony Edwards 😳
Tap In: https://t.co/Rh8z0kmQaX#NBA #NBATradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/44ZEG7tlwO
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) February 8, 2024
Powerfully built and highly athletic at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Edwards has a prototypical body for a modern-day wing. With his strength and acceleration, he’s an intimidating slasher. His post-ups are where he most resembles Jordan, as he backs down his man using the NBA icon’s ‘butt bump.’ Once an underwhelming jump shooter, Edwards is now a player that teams hesitate to leave open from anywhere. Defensively, Edwards plays with the type of zeal that allows him to make game-changing plays.
When expectations shift and the standard gets higher, all the Georgia native does is reach them.
Edwards may not go 6-0 in the NBA Finals like Jordan. However, even His Airness had to break through the ceiling that others placed on him. Whether in high school when he was cut from junior varsity. At UNC, when he was a little-known prospect the program kicked the tires on. Or in the NBA, when postseason battles against Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons led to constant defeat.
With that, the biggest question now is what will Edwards accomplish next.
