May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball past Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) in the first half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Ex-NBA Champion's Strong Anthony Edwards Statement After Warriors-Wolves

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Terry Kimble | Last updated May 9, 2025 9:18 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves evened up their second-round series with the Golden State Warriors after a 117-93 victory in Game 2. Golden State played without superstar guard Steph Curry, who strained his hamstring during the second quarter of Game 1 and is expected to miss at least one week.

Minnesota took advantage of the Curry-less Warriors, with their star forward Anthony Edwards playing a game-high 34 minutes. Edwards filled up the box score with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and a game-high +21 on the court. Former New Orleans Pelicans center and ESPN star Kendrick Perkins praised the young Wolves star for his performance on Thursday night.

"[Anthony Edwards] is the best young leader in the game."@KendrickPerkins praises Ant-Man for bouncing back and leading the Timberwolves to a Game 2 victory pic.twitter.com/jm9voa8hgY
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 9, 2025

"Leadership. He's the best young leader in the game", Perkins said of the Edwards. "He's setting the tone not just with his scoring, but he's setting the tone for how to play the game of basketball the right way." The former No. 1 overall pick is trying to get his Timberwolves team to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row.

Edwards is becoming a strong candidate for emerging as the new face of the NBA. The former No. 1 overall pick defeated LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, the Edwards-led Wolves beat Kevin Durant and the Suns in the first round and then Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals.