May 12, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after being called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards Shows Much Respect To NBA Legend After Game 4 Win

Originally posted on Back in the Day NBA on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated May 13, 2025 9:41 AM ET

The meeting was between two of the most confident players in NBA history.

After leading the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Golden State Warriors, All-Star Anthony Edwards sought former player Gary Payton in the stands. The two exchanged hugs after Edwards pushed the Timberwolves to a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

"He didn't come up to me," Edwards said. "I came up to him. I don't think he's the type of guy to go up to nobody and give anybody props. I hear all the stuff about him, watch film on him and he was really like that. I told him I'm a big fan and I love the way you guard. Even offensively, he had a lot of game."

Ant walked off the court to some MVP chants and greeted Gary Payton Sr.

Appeared Payton gave him a jersey pic.twitter.com/jz60ouUcB1
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) May 13, 2025

Payton and Edwards are built from the same mold. Both are super talented but also have no problem with letting the opposition know it. Edwards now is just one win from taking the Timberwolves to the conference finals for a second straight year. Last season they lost to the Dallas Mavericks.

Payton had similar success, helping lead the Seattle Supersonics to the 1996 NBA Finals. They lost to the Chicago Bulls but Payton earned his lone championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.

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This article first appeared on Back in the Day NBA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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