Kevin Durant reflected on his series-long battle with Anthony Edwards in the first round which ended with Edwards and the Wolves sweeping Durant and the Suns with a 122-116 Game 4 win.
"So impressed with him. My favorite player to watch. Just grown so much since he came into the league. He's 22. His love for the game, he shines bright, and that's one of the reasons I like him the most, it's because he loves basketball. He's grateful to be in this position, he's taken advantage of every opportunity he's got.
Durant made it clear that he will be an Anthony Edwards fan for the rest of his life.
"Love everything about Ant, everything. We're gonna watch him going forward and you know he's gonna guard and play hard every single night. I'm really impressed with him. Ant is someone I'm gonna be following for the rest of his career.
Edwards and Durant shared a moment on the court after the game as well.
Edwards put up 40 points and nine rebounds in the Game 4 win over the Suns while Durant had 33 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Edwards had a dominant four games in this series, averaging 31.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while trash-talking Durant at almost every juncture.
Durant and the Suns will be headed home for an off-season of trouble while the Wolves await the winner of the Nuggets vs. Lakers series in the second round.
The news of Jamal Murray's possible injury absence has boosted the hopes of Lakers fans, but the Nuggets are massive favorites to advance and meet the Wolves in what could be the series with the two favorites to make the NBA Finals out of the West.
Anthony Edwards Excited To Team Up With Kevin Durant In The Summer
Both players have different goals in the short term, but they'll be teammates in the summer as Team USA hopes to bring home another Olympic Gold medal. Edwards spoke about his first-round matchup against Durant after the game while expressing his excitement over teaming up with Durant on Team USA.
"I have the utmost respect for KD. He comes out every night and competes. I have watched every last one of his games since I was about 5. I love that guy and I am excited to play with him this summer, talk a little trash, and let him know I sent him home."
Durant averaged 26.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists this series, his second first-round sweep loss in the last three seasons. He and the Suns have a bleak future to look ahead to, with Bradley Beal's contract hanging like an albatross while the team has no first-round picks until 2031.
The Wolves were panned for their all-in move on Rudy Gobert and subsequent first-round exit last season, but it's paid off with another season of marination. Now, the Wolves will hope to exact their revenge in a rematch from last season against the Nuggets.
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