The rivalry continues. From the 2024 NBA Western Conference Finals to online memes and now, the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The relationship between the Lakers‘ Luka Doncic and the Timberwolves‘ Anthony Edwards has always been contentious yet playful. However, considering Ant’s antics this season, perhaps he should have reconsidered his actions during the warmups tonight ahead of game 2 of their playoff series. Unless he wants to end up messing up his finances.

You see, Anthony Edwards has incurred an insane amount of fines this season. All in all, he’s made the league about $370,000 richer. That’s a league-high, mind you. And this number is around 0.9% of Anthony Edwards’ $42 million annual salary. Now that may seem like a drop in the ocean, but these things have a way of adding up. Even so, it seems as if Ant can’t help himself when it comes to his rivalry with Luka.

Tonight, while both teams were warming up, Ant made his way over to the Lakers’ side of the court. He then proceeded to say something to Luka that the Slovenian instantly responded to. Knowing Ant, he was probably trolling. There didn’t seem to be any malice involved as both of them were all smiles.

Taylor Rooks of TNT Sports has now given us some insight into what happened between Luka and Ant pregame. It seems Ant came over to let Doncic know that they had “all the good balls” to practice. That explains why Luka gave him the ball he was using.

As things stand, Ant has the edge on Doncic in this rivalry after winning Game 1 of their series. Despite Luka’s 37-point haul, he wasn’t able to stop the Minnesota Timberwolves from getting an easy 117-95 victory over the Lakers. And in typical Ant fashion, during that game, he celebrated draining a basket, right in Luka’s face. But tonight’s game may have breathed new life into this rivalry.

Has Anthony Edwards vs Luka Doncic become the new hottest NBA playoff rivalry?

It’s arguable that both Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic are in contention to become the next face of the NBA. Well, once LeBron James retires, that is. This is the second season in a row that Ant and Luka are meeting in the Playoffs. And things have gone back and forth between the two as they clash. So is this the start of a new, epic rivalry that’ll go down in the annals of NBA history?

Luka Doncic got the last laugh in their previous meeting in last year’s Western Conference Finals. His Dallas Mavericks easily dispatched the T-Wolves in 5. However, this time around, Ant drew first blood after dominating the Lakers with his athleticism and improved 3-point shooting in Game 1 of their first-round Playoff series.

Now, as tonight’s game unfolds, it seems Luka Doncic may have returned the favor. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Luka has 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, nearly a triple-double. On the other hand, Ant has 23 points with 4 boards and no assists. But more importantly, Luka’s Lakers lead the Timberwolves by 16 points. It seems like the Lakers have this one in the bag, barring a 4th quarter slump.

Nonetheless, these heated games of basketball, where they go blow for blow, is exactly how an epic rivalry is written. After all, every legend must have an equally worthy dancing partner. Wilt Chamberlain had Bill Russell,  Larry Bird had Magic Johnson, and LeBron James has Steph Curry. Now, in the latest chapter of NBA legends, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards have each other.

But who do you think will come out on top this year? Will it be the Ant-Man? Or will we see a repeat of last year with the Slovenian leaving Ant in the dust? Let us know what you think!