As one of the NBA’s most talked-about players, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards marches to the beat of his own drum.
The Minnesota marvel is an elegant scorer at all three levels, blending impressive speed, twitchiness and leaping ability with sleek footwork and wondrous shot-making skill to make himself a fixture on NBA highlight reels.
Edwards has earned plenty of plaudits for his play, which does nothing if not captivate casual viewers and hardcore basketball enthusiasts alike. But it’s his demeanor that keeps us intrigued; his care-free attitude towards playing the league’s best talents, his willingness to challenge anyone across 94 feet.
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On Saturday, Lakers star Luka Doncic got a glimpse of Edwards’ ever-running motor, even if he didn’t notice it. With a single graceful triple, Doncic was made a casualty of Edwards’ ability. Then, he was subjected to an Edwards taunt, too.
Here’s what you need to know.
Anthony Edwards celebration, explained
Edwards unveiled his newest three-point gesture earlier this season, employing the three-finger salute during a nationally-televised matchup against the Grizzlies on Jan. 20.
Anthony Edwards with a new 3-point celebration ?
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) January 20, 2025
The sign, which sees Edwards fix three fingers towards his opposing defender while flicking his thumb back and forth, has been a common sight throughout the campaign. After all, the three-time All-Star posted his first-ever season with more than 300 three-pointers made. In fact, Edwards’ 2024-25 campaign proved the seventh-most prolific three-point shooting season in NBA history, only bested by Stephen Curry (six times) and James Harden. Unsurprisingly, it was Edwards who led the league in most triples made on the year, recording one more make than second-place Malik Beasley.
Edwards doesn’t always direct his gesture at a nearby defender. Sometimes, he merely flashes it at the sky or another unassuming target.
@espn #anthonyedwards #nba #timberwolves #celebration ♬ X-SLIDE (Ultra Slowed) – 2KE & 808iuli
But when an opposition defender is caught in his glance, it certainly makes for a special sight. Case in point on Saturday, when Edwards sank four such shot attempts, many of which came on Doncic.
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After putting down an especially eye-catching triple — replete with a sumptuous size-up move and a level of patience he hasn’t always shown throughout his still-budding career — Edwards felt compelled to aim his sights at Doncic, who was left weary by Edwards’ rockabye-like handle and shot form.
barbecue chicken. pic.twitter.com/OGIrb2FgHb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 20, 2025
The gesture certainly made a mark among NBA fans, who praised Edwards for his willingness to go at a notorious trash talker like Doncic — a man who only one year earlier ended his season.
Anthony Edwards doesn’t back down from anyone pic.twitter.com/erQWpO5xDF
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) April 20, 2025
Doncic, LeBron James and the Lakers will likely put forth better displays as the series wears on. But for a fleeting moment, Edwards reigned supreme atop the Crypto.com Arena hardware. And just as Doncic, James and countless other NBA supernovas past and present have done, he made sure to let his opponents know it.
Anthony Edwards stats vs. Lakers
- Points: 22
- Rebounds: 8
- Assists: 9
- Steals: 1
- Blocks: 0
- TOs: 1
- Fouls: 2
- FG: 8-22
- 3FG: 4-9
Edwards might not have enjoyed his most efficient performance. But he left his imprint on multiple parts of the game, posting a game-high tally in assists (nine) while recording the joint-second-best rebound mark (eight). Furthermore, he only recorded one turnover, fronting a largely steady Timberwolves attack.
