Anthony Edwards Erupts for 40 Points in Wolves-Thunder Game 3—Must-See Highlights

Key Takeaways From Anthony Edwards’ Western Conference Finals Surge Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has officially entered superstar territory, even as his team trails the Oklahoma City Thunder 0-2 in the 2025 Western Conference Finals. The 23-year-old followed a 41-point Game 1 masterpiece with 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists in Thursday’s 118-103 loss, surpassing Kevin Garnett for the franchise’s all-time single-postseason scoring record. A Historic Playoff Run • Through 12 postseason games, Edwards is averaging 26.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 48 percent from the floor—numbers matched only by LeBron James and Luka Dončić at the same age. • He already owns the Timberwolves’ single-series, single-game and single-postseason scoring marks, eclipsing benchmarks set by Garnett in 2004. Adjusting to OKC’s Defensive Web Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has blitzed Edwards with length—Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and even Chet Holmgren on switches. That scheme forced the Wolves into 18 turnovers in Game 2 and limited their trademark early-clock threes. Edwards’ “Bold Decision” Postgame, the All-NBA Second Team guard declined Minnesota’s charter flight back to Minneapolis, opting instead to remain in Oklahoma City overnight for an extended film session with assistant coach Micah Nori—an unusual move for an NBA star during a series travel day. Edwards told reporters, “I have to see the game the way they see it. If that means no sleep until we solve their traps, that’s what it takes.” Keys for Game 3 in Minneapolis 1. Early Paint Touches – Minnesota recorded just 32 paint points in Game 2; look for Chris Finch to run Edwards off pindowns into elbow isolations to collapse OKC’s shell defense. 2. Pace Over Precision – The Wolves are 9-1 this postseason when they exceed 98 possessions. Edwards’ downhill attacks ignite that tempo. 3. Defensive Matchups – Expect Jaden McDaniels on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to free Edwards from primary on-ball duty, preserving energy for crunch-time offense. The Bigger Picture Regardless of the series outcome, Edwards’ postseason leap cements him as one of the league’s premier two-way wings. He is the first Timberwolf since Garnett to earn consecutive All-NBA selections and could be in line for a supermax extension projected at $335 million over five years next summer. What’s Next Game 3 tips off Saturday night at Target Center, where Minnesota is 6-0 this postseason. Edwards and the Wolves will debut a “Whiteout” crowd initiative, handing 18,000 fans playoff-edition wristbands—mirroring the lucky bracelet Edwards promised to wear until the Wolves win the West. Another signature “Ant-Man” performance could swing momentum—and the series—back to Minnesota.