Anthony Edwards’ College Coach’s 3-word Text Message Helped Timberwolves Star Break His Shackles

When his team needed him the most, Anthony Edwards responded amid adversity. Facing the threat of getting swept by the Mavs, Edwards saved the Wolves from humiliation by willing them to a 105-100 victory in tonight’s game. With the 29-point outing, he put up his best scoring performance of this series, and probably the most important one. And after the season-saving win, Ant-Man revealed the message from his former coach that became fuel for his breakout performance.

Happy after getting the first win against the Mavs and extending the series, Edwards revealed that in the last game, he let emotions get the best of him and gradually started losing his joy as the game progressed. But tonight, Edwards remained unfazed by whatever was put in front of him and overcame the issues he had on Sunday. And it was his college coach Tom Crean’s three-word message before the game and again during halftime that motivated him to ball out tonight. The message read, “Play with joy.”

Although Edwards played under Coach Crean for only one year when he was part of the Georgia Bulldogs in 2019-20, the experienced college coach played a big role in molding Ant-Man into what he is today. And listening to his advice one more time, Edwards was able to overcome the mental block that had been hindering his performance for the past three games. Not only did Edwards dominate the game with his scoring, but it seemed like he was everywhere on the court doing everything. Only one assist shy from a triple-double, Edwards showed what he is capable of when he is completely focused on the game. And now, keeping the same mindset and remembering his former coach’s words, Edwards will head back to Minnesota hoping to turn this series around.

Anthony Edwards wanted to save his legacy

While his coach’s words of wisdom got Edwards on the right track, there was one more thing motivating him to go all out in tonight’s game. In his young career and three playoff appearances so far, Ant-Man has never been swept in a series. And Edwards wanted to maintain that streak this year. Yes, he has not made it past the first round of the playoffs before this year. But both times, he was able to extend the series to either five or six games. After the game, Edwards revealed how he took the challenge of not getting swept personally, “I have never been swept, so I took it personal. I didn’t wanna get swept.”

More importantly, Edwards was able to turn that desperation into action as he hit a dagger three in the final minute to extend the Wolves’ lead to six points. With that shot, Luka Doncic and Co.’s chances of making a comeback became very bleak and Edwards accomplished his goal of not getting swept. But the job is far from over. While they avoided the humiliation, the Wolves still need to win three more games to reach the Finals. And no team in league history has ever overcome that deficit. Do you think Anthony Edwards and Co. can be the first to do it?

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