Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards isn’t rattled by the spotlight ahead of a high-stakes first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking to the media, Edwards dismissed outside noise surrounding the Lakers’ star power, stating, “I love it. Yeah, I just love it. It’s dope. I love the fact that everybody wants the Lakers to win. That’s how it’s supposed to be. They don’t want the Timberwolves to win. I get it.”
The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, enter the series with national attention but face a Timberwolves squad that finished sixth in the West behind elite two-way play from Edwards and a reshaped rotation featuring Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid.
Asked whether the postseason pressure feels different, Edwards said, “I’m not. I mean, it’s not hype to me. I’m just ready to play. Yeah, I’m good.”
Edwards acknowledged the defensive attention he expects from Los Angeles, saying, “Anytime I get the ball, I’m going to see five people looking at me. I gotta be willing to make that pass every time.”
He also emphasized the importance of trusting his supporting cast: “Donte, Nickeil, Naz, Jaden—you gotta be willing to shoot those shots, not turn anything down. And I gotta be willing to make those passes every time.”
On defending elite scorers, Edwards said he’s preparing to lock in, particularly off the ball: “I gotta be locked in off the ball because I know they may try to attack me when I’m not on the ball.”
Minnesota’s postseason run last year ended in the Western Conference Finals, and Edwards believes the team is more prepared this time. “I just wasn’t ready to play versus Dallas last year, but I’ll be ready,” he said.
When asked about facing James in a playoff setting for the first time, Edwards said, “It means a lot to match up against him. He probably goes down as the greatest player to ever play basketball. Trying to put him out of the playoffs under my belt—it’s going to be a tough one, but it’s going to be a fun road.”
“Great player. I think he might be the best at making tough shots in the league,” Edwards said about Doncic, whom he faced in conference finals last year.
He also credited his growth without the ball: “I used to be one-dimensional… but like I said, I’ve gotten better and better being able to move without the ball, cut, screen for my teammates, and get other guys open.”
Defensively, the Timberwolves ranked among the league’s best all season, and Edwards highlighted conditioning as a key focus entering the series. “These last couple days, I’ve been trying to push myself a little bit more so I can be in the best shape and ready to play both sides.”
On the Lakers’ schemes, Edwards expects constant adjustments. “Just read and react, pretty much. Seeing how they sub, seeing who comes in the game. Be ready.”
Despite an up-and-down regular season, Edwards made it clear the focus is sharpened now. “I’m going to try to be super ultra-aggressive from the beginning to the finish,” he said. “But depending on how they guard me is how I analyze and play the game.”
The Timberwolves and Lakers open their first-round series this Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
