The path to redemption was short for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a struggling night against the Lakers, they ended their road game stretch with a win over the Sacramento Kings. The contest came with extreme swings and palm-sweating anxiety. Running down to the wire, a pair of Anthony Edwards free throws proved to be the game-winning action for the Wolves. However, they wouldn’t have got there if one of their new pack members hadn’t unloaded his fury.

Moreover, Julius Randle seemed to be in a shell in the first game against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was only his second time playing with the Timberwolves since being traded from New York. Likewise, the imposing forward tried to defer to his teammates and help them adjust to his game. However, rather than working, it caused some discord among the starting unit. Hence, Edwards sent him a message.

“We told him this morning, don’t fit around us, we’ll fit around you,” he told the media. Well, the former Laker took it to heart. He started the game torching the Kings’ unimproved defense, shooting 80% in the opening half. The momentum didn’t halt as the game progressed. To end the night, he had a game-high 33 points, even hitting five of his six three-point attempts to further exemplify his already excellent game.

Likewise, Ant-Man was impressed. “Just told him be yourself and we’ll figure everything else out and that’s what he did,” Edwards noted. However, when it came down to pulling the punches with the game on the line, the 23-year-old Wolves pillar decided it was time for him to take the team home.

New team, the same Anthony Edwards

Randle might have had the hot hand all night. However, when it comes to closing out the game, the Timberwolves and Flinch have bestowed that responsibility on the young and wide shoulders of Anthony Edwards. Tonight was one of the many moments of his staggering career proving why he is the next megastar in the NBA.

Inspired by their home crowd, the Kings unleashed an invigorating fourth-quarter run, which included a few powerful plays from Domantas Sabonis. However, even though it’s the road, Sacramento happens to be one of the favorite places for his ‘Starting 5’ co-star to play in. And Edwards didn’t disappoint the crowd he adores so much.

Counteracting the home team’s run, the Wolves sparked an 8-0 segment, with five points coming from Ant-Man. As the quarter proceeded and both sides exchanged blows, Edwards went full steam. He added another 8 points to his fourth-quarter tally, including a belligerent drive in the dying moments which sent him to the free-throw line.

From then on, it was game over.

However, Anthony Edwards has become much more than just an incessant offensive machine. He played the game on both sides of the floor, recording a 102.4 defensive rating, the best of any player in the game. Playing with suffocating intensity, he limited De’Aaron Fox in the fourth quarter, preventing him from scoring.

It marked a much-needed comeback win for the Timberwolves who are hopeful to take a larger stride this season after a WCF exit during the foregone postseason. And Ant-Man seems more spirited and determined than ever to usher the Wolves over the finishing line this season.