Anthony Edwards Silences Critics, Delivers Clutch Win vs. Thunder - and Gilbert Arenas Tips His Cap
Anthony Edwards is not here to play it safe - and he made that crystal clear Friday night.
With the game on the line against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Edwards didn’t hesitate. Down two, he pulled up from deep and drilled the go-ahead three, sealing a 112-107 win for the Timberwolves and handing the red-hot Thunder just their third loss of the season.
It was a bold shot, the kind that invites either legendary status or second-guessing. Edwards?
He’s not interested in the latter.
After the game, Edwards addressed the moment head-on during a courtside interview - and he didn’t shy away from calling out past criticism, specifically from former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas.
“I receive a lot of negative criticism because I never go for the tie,” Edwards said. “I heard Gilbert Arenas not too long ago say I’m trying to go home. I’m going for the game every time.”
That mentality - fearless, aggressive, and unapologetically alpha - has become Edwards’ signature. And the shot wasn’t just a statement to the Thunder. It was a message to anyone who’s questioned his decision-making in crunch time.
To his credit, Arenas took it in stride. In fact, he embraced it.
Posting on his Instagram Story, Arenas shared a video of Edwards’ postgame comments and added his own stamp of approval:
**“It’s called Ant-Man now.
‘We never go for the TIE’ 🔥”**
A Star Rising - and Learning
Edwards didn’t just hit the biggest shot of the night - he led the Timberwolves across the board, finishing with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. But what’s more impressive than the box score is the evolution behind it.
Since entering the league in 2020, Edwards has grown from a raw scorer with elite athleticism into a true franchise cornerstone. He’s already led Minnesota to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances - a feat that would’ve sounded like fantasy just a few years ago.
But those playoff runs haven’t been without growing pains. Last season, the Thunder’s defense gave him fits.
They threw double teams at him from the opening tip, hounded him with physicality, and forced him into tough spots. OKC’s relentless, swarming style - what Edwards described as “AAU defense” - exposed the need for a more refined offensive toolkit.
“They play like AAU defense - like run and jump,” Edwards said in an interview with Shams Charania. “There’s not too much you’re going to be able to do at the top of the court with the ball in your hand because they’re going to put two, three people on the ball every time I touch it.”
That series, which ended with the Thunder advancing to the Finals in five games, became a turning point. Edwards didn’t just take the loss - he took notes.
The Midrange Makeover
This past offseason, Edwards went to work. His focus?
The midrange - that in-between area where legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant made a living when defenses keyed in. It’s not the flashiest part of the floor, but in today’s analytics-driven league, it’s become a lost art - and Edwards is bringing it back with purpose.
“Working on my midrange. Being able to play through contact,” he told Charania.
“Trying to leave the refs alone because I had a lot of techs last year. So just trying to grow.”
That growth is showing. Edwards is averaging 28.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting a blistering 49.8% from the field. Those aren’t just All-Star numbers - they’re the kind of stats that put you in MVP conversations.
But more importantly, they reflect a player who’s rounding out his game, learning from his postseason scars, and evolving in real time.
“Going for the Game Every Time”
Friday night’s dagger three wasn’t just a highlight - it was a culmination. The shot, the swagger, the postgame message - it all underscored who Anthony Edwards is becoming.
He’s not just a high-flyer or a scorer. He’s a closer.
A leader. A player who wants the ball when the game’s on the line - and who’s not afraid to take the heat if it doesn’t go his way.
“I’m going for the game every time,” he said. And right now, he’s backing that up with every step.
The Timberwolves are surging, and Edwards is the engine. If this is the version of Ant-Man the league has to deal with going forward - fearless, focused, and fine-tuned - then buckle up. Because he’s not just going for the game anymore.
He’s going for greatness.