While tonight’s game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder was a continuation of their rivalry from last year’s Western Conference Finals, a single moment managed to seize everyone’s attention. The Timberwolves’ guard, Anthony Edwards, was taken to the locker room in the third quarter. This is how things unfolded.

With about 35 seconds left in the third quarter, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received the ball in his backcourt off an inbound, and was guarded by Edwards. Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein then set a hard screen, which Edwards crashed into, falling to the ground while holding his head.

He stayed there for a few moments while the Thunder scored, and left for the locker room immediately after the Wolves called a timeout on the following possession.

However, things seem to be getting better: at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Edwards seemed back, even starting the period, which head coach Chris Finch usually doesn’t let him do.

Edwards had been remarkably healthy over his first five years in the league, playing all 72 games in his rookie year (COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season), and has missed just 16 games in the four seasons afterward. This season, however, he has tied his highest total for missed games at 10, struggling with a hamstring issue earlier in the season while now dealing with an ongoing toe re-infection issue that has flared up a number of times over this month.

Edwards has been on fire, putting together his best season yet. The guard has become one of the top scorers in the league, averaging 29.4 points per game on 49.6% from the field and 41.4% from three, while helping the Timberwolves surge to three wins in a row after beating the defending champions tonight.

Timberwolves’ Hot Start and Anthony Edwards’ Barrage Too Much for Thunder

The Minnesota Timberwolves wasted no time in taking control, jumping out to a 12-point lead in the opening quarter, and never looked back. The Thunder never seriously threatened the Timberwolves, who came out with energy and confidence despite playing their fourth game in five nights.

The outburst revolved around Anthony Edwards. After a steal by Donte DiVincenzo on the initial possession, he sank a three-pointer, accumulating 12 points in the first quarter and igniting a rapid barrage of long-range shots. To begin the game, the Wolves sank four three-pointers, followed by an additional four in the first quarter, maintaining their strong offensive performance.

Jaden McDaniels matched his career-high in long-range shots by going 5-5 from deep on the way to 21 points, while Naz Reid added 18 off the bench. Minnesota made 22 threes on 46.8% shooting, tying their season high.

For the Thunder, reigning MVP SGA tried his best, pouring in a game-high 30 points for OKC, but logged a season-high five turnovers, and the Thunder never got closer than 11, despite regaining big man Isaiah Hartenstein, playing for the first time since 28th December, returning from a calf strain.