Anthony Edwards was back in the spotlight against the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his near-peak form with a stellar 40-point performance. This effort was instrumental in handing the Mavericks their tenth consecutive defeat.
But Edwards wasn't the only star lighting up the scoreboard; Cade Cunningham also dazzled, dropping 42 points in the Detroit Pistons’ victory over the New York Knicks. Interestingly, Edwards found inspiration in Cunningham's standout game.
The Timberwolves secured a 122-111 win, with Edwards delivering 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting, including five three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds. This marked his eighth 40-point game of the season, featuring a 14-point surge in the fourth quarter that mirrored Cunningham's efficiency from a few nights prior.
"I kinda do this sh*t in my sleep for real... I woke up today & knew I was gonna get 40. I seen Cade [Cunningham] go for 40 & I said sh*t, that mean I gotta get 40 too."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 21, 2026
Anthony Edwards on his huge game against the Mavs last night 😂
(via @Timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/zAAudJn61B
Cunningham demonstrated why he relishes playing at Madison Square Garden, putting on one of the season's most complete performances. He tallied 42 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds on 50% shooting in a 126-111 triumph over the Knicks. His first-quarter explosion included 14 points, with a remarkable stretch of 11 consecutive points for the Pistons, who boast a 41-13 record, leading the Eastern Conference.
The ripple effect of Cunningham's performance was evident in Edwards' inspired play. The All-Star MVP returned to form, guiding Minnesota to their third consecutive victory.
Next up, they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.