So, Game 1 is in the books—and wow, what a statement the Timberwolves just made. The Lakers, with all their star power and hype, got run off their own floor by a team that came into the series feeling overlooked. And if anyone still had doubts about Anthony Edwards being that guy, they should probably go ahead and delete those thoughts now.

Before the series even tipped off, Ant was already in full playoff mode. He wasn’t just locked in himself—he wanted his whole squad ready for war. How’d he do it? A good old-fashioned group text. “We’re the underdogs,” he told them. “Be aggressive. Come out ready to fight. It’s gonna be a dog fight.” And honestly, you could feel that energy from the moment the Timberwolves shook off that rough first quarter and started punching back.

While most folks were still picking the Lakers—because let’s face it, people love a good legacy narrative—Anthony Edwards had his team focused on writing their own story. That Game 1 win wasn’t just a random hot shooting night either. The Timberwolves were ready. They played harder, smarter, and more connected. And it started with their leader making sure the locker room had zero doubt about the assignment.

Minnesota didn’t just win Game 1—they imposed their will. After trailing by seven in the first quarter, they flipped the switch and dropped a 38–20 second-quarter bomb on the Lakers. By the time the third quarter ended, even Doncic’s half-court buzzer-beater wasn’t enough to keep Laker fans hopeful. It felt like the Wolves were playing chess while the Lakers were still figuring out the board.

Jaden McDaniels had himself a night, going 11-for-13 and dropping 25 points like it was nothing. Anthony Edwards added 23, and even Naz Reid came off the bench ready to keep the pressure on. But beyond the numbers, it was the vibe. You could see it on their faces—these guys were hungry.

They shot over 50% from the field, hit 21 threes, and only turned the ball over 10 times. That’s clean basketball. That’s playoff basketball. And with every possession, they looked more like a team on a mission and less like a sixth seed trying to pull an upset.

Anthony Edwards: This Team Runs Through Him Now

Let’s talk about Ant some more—because this team has officially become his. The season numbers were already impressive: 27.6 points per game (fourth in the league), nearly 40% from deep on over 10 attempts a night, and a whole lot of swagger. But what we’re seeing now? It’s leadership. It’s him becoming the emotional engine of this franchise.

Anthony Edwards got the memo loud and clear. During the broadcast, it was revealed that his player development coach had been sending him clips of the 1991 NBA Finals—Jordan vs. Magic—with a clear message: to beat the King, you have to go through the King. And from the opening tip of Game 1, Ant showed he took that lesson to heart.

Edwards lit up the Lakers early, dropping 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds by halftime, but it was his mindset that stood out. When LeBron tried to swing momentum in the third, Ant met him at full court—chest up, no fear. It wasn’t just defense—it was a statement: you’re not running through me. He fought through screens, absorbed contact, and never gave an inch. Even his fouls came with intent.

And just when you thought he was done, Edwards squared up Luka Doncic—the same man who bounced the Wolves last postseason—and buried a sidestep three in his face, followed by cold, pointed trash talk.

No theatrics. Just payback. Edwards isn’t avoiding legends. He’s confronting them. First LeBron. Then Luka. This version of Ant isn’t just here to play. He’s here to settle scores.

He broke KAT’s franchise three-point record, dropped a career-high 53 points in January, and made his third straight All-Star appearance. At just 23, Ant is doing things most guys don’t figure out until their late twenties.

And don’t forget: he’s now the youngest player ever to hit 1,000 career threes. The man is rewriting Timberwolves history while dragging them deeper into the playoffs.

The Timberwolves finished the regular season with a solid 49–33 record, good enough for the sixth seed in the West. They had the 7th-best net rating in the league and a top-5 defense. People might’ve overlooked them because of the star power elsewhere, but make no mistake—this team is dangerous.

Trading Karl-Anthony Towns and bringing in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo gave them the depth they’d been missing. Chris Finch has the rotation figured out, and the locker room clearly trusts each other. They’re built for a grind-it-out series, and if Game 1 was any indication, they’re not afraid of the moment.

Game 2’s just around the corner, and all eyes will be on how the Lakers respond. But here’s the thing: the Wolves aren’t playing like they’re trying to survive. They’re playing like they believe this is their time. Anthony Edwards is leading the way, the team’s locked in, and the rest of the league better start paying attention.

Because this isn’t the same old Timberwolves.