For a moment it seemed that everything was calm. Anthony Edwards had jumped to the rafters, hoping to see the edge. It turned out he got a lot more.
The Timberwolves star detonated against Jazz forward John Collins on Monday, yet another moment in a season (and career) increasingly filled with highlights.
Edwards took flight during the third quarter, easily outshining a downcast Collins before smashing the glittering orb across the target with vigour.
The 22-year-old guard is among basketball’s greatest talents, a swashbuckling package of speed, size, jumping ability and skill that has rarely appeared on the hardwood floors.
His last act was one of the most daring. Here’s a closer look at Edward’s jam, the leading candidate for dunk of the year and the “best drunk in [Edward’s] career”, according to the man himself.
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Anthony Edwards dunk video: Wolves star posterizes Jazz’s John Collins
Edwards pulverized Collins in a matter of seconds, rocketing into the stratosphere after receiving a pass from teammate Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Collins tried to catch him at the top of his jump. He didn’t do too well.
ANTHONY EDWARDS MY GOD.
– Central Hoop (@TheHoopCentral) March 19, 2024
Edwards couldn’t reach the rim with his entire hand. However, he came quite close and seemed to tap the surface with his finger as he descended from the heavens. He had to take a second to compose himself, even as a wave of emotions swirled around him.
Immediately after Edwards’ jam, he took in the carnage around him. Kyle Anderson looked in disbelief, almost as if he saw a ghost.
Kyle Anderson’s face says it all. Anthony Edwards is not human. pic.twitter.com/SdrfyX2tOZ
— Felipe Álvarez (@FelipeFromMiami) March 19, 2024
Alexander-Walker walked away from the crime scene. Monte Morris ran toward the midnight prowler from Minnesota, not knowing whether to greet him with adoration or leave him a look of disgust. He did both.
Best angle of all time for Anthony Edwards Dunk pic.twitter.com/mb51Ps0aRS
— nevaRWilliams (@nevaRWilliams) March 19, 2024
Edwards said he dislocated his finger on the job. He returned to the court after a timeout, but he left an imprint on the minds of those watching him.
Status Alert: Anthony Edwards (hit the ball too hard) headed to the locker room on Monday.
— NBA Underdog (@Underdog__NBA) March 19, 2024
Collins was also left worse for wear, clutching his head under the basket. The way Edwards jumped, his reaction was certainly understandable. Collins left the game and did not return after Edwards’ dunk.
It was part of another standout performance from the Georgia product, who racked up 32 points, including 25 in the second half, as the T-Wolves beat Utah despite being without bigs Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid ( head). In the second half.
Edwards has accumulated quite a bit of tape over the course of his career, and yet even he was baffled by what happened when he escaped the clutches of gravity for a fleeting moment.
Anthony Edwards’ reaction to his dunk on John Collins is absolutely hilarious pic.twitter.com/G2QL3FDCJt
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod ?? (@big_business_) March 19, 2024
