Anthony Edwards
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Anthony Edwards joins LeBron James, Kevin Durant with scoring feat
Since being taken first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony Edwards has been every bit the superstar the Minnesota Timberwolves envisioned on draft day.
Just five years into his pro career, Edwards has amassed three All-Star selections, represented Team USA in the Paris Olympics and led Minnesota to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances.
The Atlanta-born guard added another milestone to his growing legacy in Thursday’s 131-122 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Edwards, 24, finished the game with 25 points while shooting 50 percent from the floor, becoming the youngest guard in history to reach 10,000 career points.
Edwards is the third-youngest player in history to reach that plateau, trailing only LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The milestone bucket came on a jumper at the 6:54 mark of the fourth quarter against the Cavaliers. He entered the matchup needing 23 points to hit 10,000.
He is now the seventh player to reach 10,000 career points before turning 25 years old.
Timberwolves forward Julius Randle heaped praise on his teammate Edwards following the win:
“He’s a killer. He’s one-of-one. I mean, he’s the best player in the league. What can I say?”
Anthony Edwards Joins Elite Company With Latest Milestone
Anthony Edwards
GettyAnthony Edwards has the most 30-point games in Timberwolves history
Edwards is enjoying a head-turning season in Minnesota thus far.
Earlier this week, the All-Star guard exploded for a career-high 53 points against the Detroit Pistons, including 10 three-pointers made.
Edwards held career highs in points (29.3), field-goal percentage (50.4%), and 3-point percentage (40.7%) prior to Thursday’s clash.
Now, after another strong showing, Edwards has his name etched in NBA history alongside two of the league’s greatest players.
Edwards slots behind James (23 years, 59 days) and Durant (24, 33 days) — the first and eighth highest scorers in NBA history — as the youngest player to reach 10,000 points.
He surpassed basketball icon Kobe Bryant for the feat, who was 38 days older than Edwards when he crossed the 10,000-point threshold.
“Scoring comes natural to him in a lot of ways,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “I think back to his first 40-point game as rookie in Phoenix.. you just kinda knew he had [something special] inside him.”
Like the aforementioned stars, Edwards is a rising star who was entrusted with the keys to the franchise at a young age.
And, just like the legends who paved the way before him, Edwards is maximizing his role as the offensive engine.
The former Georgia standout is averaging 29.3 points and 3.6 assists while shooting a career-high 50 percent from the floor.
He currently leads Minnesota in points, steals and minutes per game. Edwards became the franchise leader in 30-point games in November, surpassing Karl Anthony-Towns’ previous mark of 101 games.
The six-year veteran is poised for All-Star and All-NBA honors once more this season as he leads Minnesota, currently the fourth seed in the West, to another playoff berth.
Behind the stellar play of Edwards, Minnesota has won seven of its last ten games. They sit less than two games behind the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Edwards and the Timberwolves travel to Cleveland on Saturday for an inter-conference matchup against the Donovan Mitchell-led Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. The noon matchup will be aired on Prime Video.