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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

In a leaked audio from the Timberwolves vs Suns match last night where Minnesota beat Phoenix 120-95, Anthony Edwards has been caught trash-talking his opponents. In a series that was already brimming with intensity, the Minnesota Timberwolves player has heated things up with his unfiltered trash talk directed at Suns’ players, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

Edwards’ outrageously bold remarks have not only added fuel to the Timberwolves-Suns series but also garnered very interesting responses from fans.

Edwards takes shots at childhood idol

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The explosive exchange happened in the third quarter when Edwards, riding a wave of ecstasy after dunking a series of electrifying three-pointers, unleashed a verbal assault on Durant, one of his basketball idols. “What the f*ck did I tell you, old a** n****?,” he said, rather aggressively. Shockingly, Durant seemed unfazed, he just grinned back at the player; a testament to his composure and unshakeable confidence.

But Edwards wasn’t done yet. With the Suns barely hanging in there and tensions running high, the young Timberwolves star found himself face-to-face with, Devin Booker. When Booker accidentally fouled before a shot attempt, Edwards didn’t miss a beat, taunting the Suns’ guard with biting sarcasm. Edwards mocked him saying, “You called that weak a** sh*t?” Although Booker did not seem to take it as well as his teammate Durant did.

But trash talk isn’t always a display of bravado; more often than not, it’s a calculated strategy used to gain a psychological edge over opponents and shake their confidence. With the Timberwolves in a heated battle against the Suns, Edward’s words were not personal jabs against his opponents but just manifestations of the heat.

Durant is my favorite player of all time

In the post-game interview, both Edwards and Durant opened up about the on-court exchanges that seemed to have caught everyone’s attention. When asked about the same, Edwards said, with a smile on his face, “I think everyone here knows that’s my favorite player of all time. So that was probably one of the best feelings ever in my whole life.”

And when asked, Durant said this about the exchange, “It’s just basketball. Not even playoffs, it’s just hoop. You get hot, you make shots, you make tough shots, you’re gonna feel excited about yourself. So it’s on me to keep coming back.” The player seemed to know better than to take it personally.

When Edwards was asked if he could see the playoffs’ experience that Durant has when he’s on the court with the seasoned player, he said, “Did you see him in the third quarter?” I felt like we were supposed to be up 15, 18 in the third quarter early. And if I’m not mistaken, he made four or five straight buckets like it was nothing. And I became a fan at one point. I was out there like, ‘D*mn, he’s nice.’ There’s nothing we can do… I’m looking at the stat sheet, he’s 11-for-17. He missed six shots and had 31. I mean, he’s the greatest to ever do it, man. Big tip of my hat to him, he’s the best.”

As the series between the Timberwolves and Suns unfolds, all eyes will be on Anthony Edwards to see if the player manages to retain his passion and tenacity in future games. Whether it’s his stats, his electrifying play or his confidence, one thing is for certain: Edwards will continue to dominate. And with his fiery exchanges, he has intensified the fierce rivalry between the two teams. Watch the Wolves against the Suns next on Tuesday, 23 April, 7:30 pm EST.

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