Watch: Anthony Edwards seals Timberwolves victory with clutch buckets and late defense

Then, on the defensive side of the hardwood, Edwards made perhaps the block of the year, hitting his head on the backboard immediately before the buzzer sounded. 

Edwards led all scorers with a season-high 44 points, shooting 18-of-35 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. 

After leaving the game twice with injury, Edwards recorded 16 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter. Following his outrageous performance, Edwards said he relished the responsibility of leading the scoring charge. 

"I found my second wind later in the fourth, and it was over," Edwards told Marney Gellner of Bally Sports. "Once I found my second wind I knew there was nobody that could stop me."

The victory moved the Timberwolves to 43-19 on the year, locked up atop the Western Conference standings with the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19) and one game better than the Denver Nuggets (42-20).