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Stephen A. Smith Sends Major Anthony Edwards Message Before Lakers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 4:19 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs following a dramatic season finale between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors’ overtime loss bumped Minnesota into sixth place in the Western Conference, setting up a marquee first-round clash with the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers.

The two teams split their regular season series 2-2 and will now square off in a best-of-seven battle for a place in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Lakers will look to their star trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves to lead the way, while the Timberwolves will once again put their faith in rising superstar Anthony Edwards. The 23-year-old guard averaged 27.6 points per game this season and led the league in three-point makes (320), solidifying himself as Minnesota’s go-to weapon.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in ahead of the series, putting the spotlight firmly on Edwards.

“If Ant-Man himself says, ‘I’m sick and tired of these damn superstars in LeBron James and Luka Doncic, I got something to say about it,’” Smith said. “‘I’m Ant-Man. That’s who the hell I am.’”

Smith went on to make a bold prediction:

“That brother [Anthony Edwards] is going to win about two or three games by himself... Anthony Edwards is averaging over 30 [points] this series. That's what I'm predicting.”

"I'm Ant-Man, that's who the hell I am." @stephenasmith has a message for Anthony Edwards entering Lakers-Wolves pic.twitter.com/nmExZyB4Ir
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 14, 2025

Edwards has already proven he can rise to the occasion. He led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals last year, sweeping the Phoenix Suns and defeating the reigning champion Denver Nuggets before falling in five games to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, with Doncic in a Lakers jersey, Edwards will have revenge on his mind as he prepares for a high-stakes rematch.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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