Collect Moments from your 2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves featuring Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid!

Basketball players jump, Anthony Edwards flies. Facing a mismatch out on the perimeter, the gifted Minnesota Timberwolves guard bounds past one defender, stares down an open lane to the basket then levitates through the key like a leaf in the wind before unleashing a one-handed hammer. Edwards rounded out the April 3, 2022 victory with 33 points and five dimes.

Anthony Edwards

Players often talk about what they will sacrifice to get a win; very few have been tasked with proving it in the manner that Anthony Edwards did. On the hunt to amend a missed free throw that would have afforded his team a three-point lead with seven seconds left, the Minnesota Timberwolves star pivots into one of the 2023-24 season’s most dazzling defensive displays, soaring through the air for a game-clinching block. Jumping high enough to hit his head on the backboard, Edwards called it the highest jump of his life. Equal parts remarkable and resilient, the two-time All-Star also persevered through two ankle injuries to ensure the memorable win over the Indiana Pacers on March 7, 2023. Most Valuable Player-like in his performance, Edwards’ final line read as follows: 44 points —  including 29 in the second half — along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks, and three 3-pointers.

Players often speak about how much they miss the game after it gets temporarily taken away, but it’s safe to say that few put it to action as effectively as Julius Randle did on March 2, 2025. Fresh-legged, and eager to compete after a month-long absence, Randle compensates for lost time, racing from the 3-point arc’s top to the Phoenix Suns’ paint in pursuit of his teammate’s long-range misfire. Finding his possession-extending hustle play rewarded almost immediately after his save, Randle — almost ghost-like in his stance behind Phoenix’s interior defense — reaps benefits through a two-handed throwdown after his teammate’s heads-up feed. Likely understood, had he decided to merely migrate along the perimeter with the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead by 13 in the fourth, Randle created what his coach deemed “one of the plays of the game” in the blowout road win. In his typical game-changing form from the outset, Randle pieced together 20 points (on 8-of-14 shooting), six rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers.

Julius Randle

By early-March, the talk of the town in Minnesota had centered around Jaden McDaniels’ offensive growth, and his still-going 14-game stretch of double-digit scoring. Not that anyone had forgotten, but in the event someone they had, the fifth-year forward used a head-to-head against the Philadelphia 76ers to issue reminders of his just-as-intriguing defensive gifts. Glue-like in his attachment to Philadelphia’s driving lanes, McDaniels offers Exhibit A, using his 6-foot-9 frame to deflate the air on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s floater. Finding the job to be unfinished after Andre Drummond attempts to construct one of his patented putback sequences, McDaniels sprinkles on a second highlight, securing a from-behind block to completely barricade the painted area. The Minnesota Timberwolves found McDaniels’ efforts to be much-needed during March 4, 2025’s high-scoring affair, eventually stringing together the plays needed for a double-digit win. Settled into the best stretch of his still-ascending career, McDaniels boarded the flight to Buzz City with 17 points (on 7-of-10 shooting), three rebounds, two assists, two steals, four blocks, and a trifecta. 

Jaden McDaniels

When Anthony Edwards gets out in transition, “there’s nothing you can do to stop him.” KD narrates ones of his top plays from Edwards this season as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard drops a swift in-and-out crossover combo to get by the initial defender, then takes no prisoners at the rim with a dynamic dunk over the last line of defense. Minnesota’s budding star had a huge night in 40 minutes of action against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 25, 2021: 28 points, nine rebounds and three dimes.

Anthony Edwards has wasted no time churning out memorable plays in his rookie season. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard takes his man off the dribble out at the three-point line, attacks baseline, then practically jumps over a help-side defender scrambling to draw a charge en route to a massive slam against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 7, 2021.

Anthony Edwards loves the challenge of going 1-on-1 to create a supreme advantage over his opponent - the rising Minnesota Timberwolves star has too many ways to put the ball in the hole. Edwards sets up his man with a hypnotizing, back and forth dribble then finishes it off with an in-and-out to a gliding finger roll. Edwards’ 26-point, five-rebound performance helped his squad secure a 107-97 win over the Sacramento Kings on November 17, 2021.

No matter the matchup, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has proven he’s confident he can score in any situation. Despite giving up size in an isolation against a Denver Nuggets big, Edwards takes him for a dance, working a mix of between-the-legs, in-and-out crossovers and hesitations before getting enough space to drain a stepback three-pointer. That was the story of the night, as Edwards exploded for 38 points, 10 three-pointers and five rebounds in a 124-107 win on December 15, 2021.

Anthony Edwards’ athleticism is elite and he’s proving himself to be a two-way player. On the road against the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves sophomore guard leaps to intercept a Steph Curry pass, then runs a give and go with his teammate to throw down a thunderous alley-oop slam. Edwards went off for a career-high 48 points on November 10, 2021.

First deny, then let it fly. Anthony Edwards makes magic happen at both ends for the Minnesota Timberwolves, first recording an unforgiving block on the Miami Heat’s Max Strus before quickly finding the ball back in his hands while leading the transition attack. The first-overall selection of the 2020 NBA Draft again comes face-to-face with Strus, breaking him down off the dribble atop the key before launching a shifty stepback triple that’s all net. Edwards posted 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and four three-pointers in his squad’s 105-101 victory on November 21, 2022.

It took one game for the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves frontcourt to strike fear in the hearts of NBA defenses. After nine seasons as a member of the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert kicked off his Twin Cities debut in style. First showing off the defensive chops that made him NBA Defensive Player of the Year three times, Gobert picks off an errant Oklahoma City Thunder pass and races the other way. Not exactly known for his outside shooting touch but short on time with the third quarter clock draining fast, Gobert beats the buzzer with a one-handed floater from just inside the three-point arc. The three-time All-Star put together a masterful first impression, with 23 points, 16 rebounds and two assists in the 115-108 win on October 19, 2022.

Rudy Gobert

Despite a thin frame, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels generates a ton of power when finishing strong at the basket. McDaniels dishes the ball back to his teammate, slips the screen, then hammers home a tough baseline jam over the defender. The promising sophomore contributed 11 points and seven rebounds in a meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies on November 8, 2021.

With a mix of size, athleticism and youth, no team played at a faster pace in 2021-22 than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Flying out in transition after a tough Jarred Vanderbilt block on one end of the floor, Jaden McDaniels helps keep the momentum going, drawing in a Utah Jazz defender out at the perimeter before lofting up an alley-oop to a soaring Jaylen Nowell. The talented forward was sensational in the 126-106 win on January 30, 2022, putting up 22 points on a perfect nine-of-nine shooting, with four assists and two rebounds.

On the heels of a monster third quarter, Anthony Edwards shut the door on the Sacramento Kings’ hopes with one final dagger in the fourth. With the Kings down by four points in the final period, the first-time Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star embraced the moment in the form of a stepback 3-pointer that put the game out of reach. Edwards scored 16 of his game-high 34 points in the third quarter and shot 14 of 21 in the game, adding 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and five treys in Minnesota’s 117-110 win on January 28, 2023.

Not even two weeks removed from rejecting a shot that some deemed the “Block of the Year,” Anthony Edwards’ unspeakably-incredible athletic gifts have propelled him yet another conversation. Unselfish in his approach, Edwards skips the ball down the floor, providing his teammates with a chance to take advantage of a 2-on-1. Swiftly receiving it back after upping his stride and a lone rim protector in the worst position possible, Edwards zooms through the air, punishing him with a breathtaking, violent one-handed flush that left even the Utah Jazz fans forgetful of who the opponent was. In a 'Dunk of the Year' candidate that left Edwards with a dislocated finger and John Collins with a head contusion, Edwards once more left his must-watch reputation on tape. Deeming it the personal best dunk of his career, the Minnesota Timberwolves star accompanied it with 32 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two blocks, and a pair of 3-pointers in the win on March 18, 2024.

Naz Reid is far from a traditional center - he possesses the ball-handling ability to drive the lane and get a bucket off the dribble. The Minnesota Timberwolves big man catches it on the perimeter, makes an agile crossover, picks the ball over the defender and gathers into an authoritative, one-handed slam. Reid had a strong night with 16 points and six rebounds in a November 10, 2021 matchup with the Golden State Warriors.

Naz Reid

Anthony Edwards may have kept the home crowd rocking and on its feet during a scintillating, series-opening masterpiece against the Phoenix Suns. Yet, even amidst the noise and chatter, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star found no issue delivering a clearly-understood message: the NBA’s new generation has unapologetically arrived. Heating up and ready for a potential torch-passing duel against Kevin Durant, the two-time All-Star kickstarts his extraordinary sequence with a smooth hesitation dribble on the way to a tough, contested, Durant-like stepback pull-up. Officially sizzling enough to command multiple defenders, Edwards follows it up by navigating through the Suns’ double team maze for a wide-open 3-pointer, issuing some trash talk to the Suns’ future Hall of Famer after the make. Equipped with one final act of brilliance, Edwards caps his 18-point third quarter takeover with an in-rhythm, between-the-leg dribble before draining another triple, stamping Minnesota’s demonstrative Game One victory. Driven by a goal to catapult the Timberwolves to their first series win since 2004, Edwards opened in style on April 20, 2024, erupting for 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers.

In offering yet another demonstration of his toughness, Anthony Edwards rose from a second-quarter ankle injury in the most appropriate manner possible: keeping the crowd on its toes with dazzling play thereafter. On the exclusive list of players capable of shifting a game’s spectrum on either side, the Minnesota Timberwolves star builds an example, finding a wide-open avenue for a left-corner 3-pointer. With his thirst for excellence unquenched, Edwards locks in defensively, pickpocketing a San Antonio Spurs player’s dribble before testing gravity with a picturesque flush in transition, galvanizing the entire arena. This punctuated a stretch in which Edwards assembled a 14-point, three-rebound, two-assist, three-steal, one-block statement in the third period alone. Showered with supportive chants for his efforts in the win on February 27, 2024, Edwards finished with 34 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals, one block, and four triples.

Don’t underestimate Naz Reid’s ability to get to where he needs to be. The powerful Minnesota Timberwolves center catches a pass down low, then leaps away from his Sacramento Kings defender to the opposite side of the rim and bangs home a throwdown on April 20, 2021.

At just 21 years old, Jaden McDaniels is one of the game’s most effective young stoppers. The Minnesota Timberwolves forward stays squared with his man on the perimeter, fights around the screen and fully extends to deny a shot off the glass. McDaniels played a key role off the bench with nine points, two steals and two blocks in Minnesota’s 119-99 win over the Golden State Warriors on January 16, 2022.

No Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert? No problem for the Minnesota Timberwolves — enter Naz Reid. The fourth-year center steps into starting duty and does not miss a beat, eschewing any help from his teammates in favor of taking the ball to the rack himself for a thunderous one-handed slam. Reid scored 27 points on 11 of 19 shooting while adding 13 rebounds and two steals in Minnesota’s 116-106 triumph on December 19, 2022. 

For as effortlessly as he makes attacking the rim look, Anthony Edwards’ uncanny, almost-throwback ability to locate angles to bank shots off the glass has added yet another element to just must-watch style. Unbothered by the Miami Heat’s insistence on matching his late-game bucket-getting with a shot of their own, the electrifying star merely keeps the pressure on, mixing power with technique by muscling his way into a reasonable spot along the right block before shimming his way into a smooth, floating turnaround jumper off the backboard. Edwards’ shifty, composed disposition proved fitting as the two-time All-Star helped the Minnesota Timberwolves maneuver their way out of a 17-point deficit on the way to both a victory and their best 25-game start in franchise history. With a performance befitting of the opponent, Edwards lit up the scoreboards for a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, two blocks, and two 3-pointers on December 18, 2023.

The “white flag” might’ve been officially waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves, as they introduced reserves and shifted aspirations of victory to a different day. But, anyone with a pulse on Rob Dillingham’s offensive style knew it: even with three minutes remaining in November 2, 2024’s game, the creation of highlight reel-worthy plays was far from finished. Appetizing just a brief glimpse of his blur-quick handle, the No. 8 pick maneuvers the San Antonio Spurs’ defense with a convincing middle-of-the-floor drive before ascending, ultimately drawing enough attention to execute a successful drive-and-kick 3-pointer to a teammate. Dillingham — the final 2024 NBA Draft lottery selection to make his regular-season debut — packed a few highlights into a battle against the team that originally drafted him. In three minutes, he doled out two assists alongside a +4 plus-minus, with a memorable first-ever NBA bucket arriving just a few nights later.

Rob Dillingham

Opposing defenses still can’t anticipate Mike Conley’s next move. The 16-year veteran continued to operate as a high-level facilitator against the New York Knicks, gaining a step on Jalen Brunson on a drive to the basket before baiting help defender Mitchell Robinson into losing sight of Rudy Gobert. From there Conley dropped off a beauty of an assist to a suddenly-open Gobert, who finished the possession with a layup conversion. Conley was on point offensively as he tallied 24 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals in a high-scoring 140-134 Minnesota Timberwolves win on March 20, 2023. 

Mike Conley

As he continues his ascension up the NBA’s ranks, Anthony Edwards continues to prove what was already known: there’s no situation in which he can’t score. Battling tight, disciplined defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves star reaches deep into his offensive toolbox, putting on a pivot-foot clinic as he frees himself for a brilliant fallaway jumper off the glass. Edwards kept the highlights coming, scorching the Dallas Mavericks to the tune of 44 points, four assists, three steals and six 3-pointers in a win on December 28, 2023.

Left to reflect on his mentality as his Minnesota Timberwolves searched for positivity after Game Three of the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards illustrated his confidence through a seven-word quote: “I never think the sky is falling.” Given the manner in which he took flight in the hour prior, it’s safe to say that few can judge the clouds with as much familiarity. Sticking true to his ear-perking pregame vow to up his aggressiveness, the transcendent two-guard prepares to punish the Dallas Mavericks’ defense, first working a flare screen before sprinting into a left-sided drive to take advantage of Josh Green’s overplay. Gearing up for a moment that left even Dallas’ home crowd wide-eyed and with jaws agape, Edwards explodes out of a cannon, skyrocketing through the air for a powerful, one-handed hammer over Daniel Gafford’s outstretched arms. Edwards’ Timberwolves would ultimately fall short in their goal of upstaging Dallas for a series-changing win in Game Three on May 26, 2024. Even so, Edwards paired his box score with breathing highlights, fueling Minnesota’s efforts with a team-high 26 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.

The more comfortable Rudy Gobert gets in his new surroundings, the more dangerous the Minnesota Timberwolves become. Gobert looks every bit like a three-time All-Star against the LA Clippers, utilizing the pick-and-roll to perfection as D’Angelo Russell lofts an alley-oop that Gobert throws down with authority. The Clippers had no answer for slowing down Gobert, who torched them for 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting, 21 rebounds and two blocks in Minnesota’s 128-115 win on January 6, 2023.

Jaden McDaniels announced his arrival with authority to begin the 2022-23 campaign. In the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first game of the season, the third-year forward has a special delivery for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the form of a thunderous one-handed throwdown despite being flanked by a pair of defenders. The athletic jam was part of a big night for McDaniels, who tallied 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in Minnesota’s 115-108 win on October 19, 2022.

Sometimes making the extra pass does not pay off. Jaden McDaniels made that case on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves as he played the role of defensive disruptor against the Dallas Mavericks. When Josh Green hesitated on a layup attempt due to a lurking Rudy Gobert, he kicked the ball out directly into the hands of McDaniels, who won the foot race with Theo Pinson and converted the transition layup. An efficient McDaniels connected on 7 of 8 shots for 19 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in his squad’s 124-121 victory on February 13, 2023. 

On many occasions, the most gravity-defying dunks a fan can expect to see are the ones including mascots and trampolines, often during a game’s intermission. Five minutes out of halftime, though, Anthony Edwards — with Minnesota ahead by 17, no less —  confirmed that even with springboards and on-paper advantages, anyone attempting to outjump him on November 15, 2024 would’ve had their work cut out for them. Best described as something you’ve rarely seen before, Edwards kickstarts a most-unforgettable sequence by halting his momentum fluidly on a brake-pumping crossover against Keegan Murray. Sprung free, and now officially prepared for liftoff, the two-time All-Star catapults into a ferocious flush over a pair of helpless Sacramento Kings defenders, leaving even the road crowd buzzing in a conflicted support. Spoiling a 60-point showpiece from the opposing side’s All-Star, Edwards, for a second time, helped guide the Minnesota Timberwolves’ crunchtime conquering of Sacramento, this time through 36 points (on 14-of-27 shooting), alongside five boards, two assists, and six trifectas.

An unmistakable presence on the defensive end, when Rudy Gobert brings energy on the offense, it’s impossible to miss. After corralling a rebound under the hoop, Gobert forwards the ball to teammate Anthony Edwards, dutifully trails the play and storms through the paint to convert an emphatic alley-oop before the defense takes notice. Gobert logged 17 points on just five field-goal attempts, racking up a staggering 21 rebounds in the Minnesota Timberwolves victory on November 8, 2023.

Even from 25-feet away from the rim, Rudy Gobert’s reputation as an impenetrable defender in post-up situations remains set in stone.  Long considered a walking “Do Not Enter” sign when it comes to challenging him around the rim, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year hustles his way into a unique highlight, hunting down an ill-advised entry pass along the top of the key for a perfectly-timed skill. Turning on the speed boost with a chance at a one-man fastbreak, the Minnesota Timberwolves big glides through the air, faking flight for a two-handed flush just before the Houston Rockets’ defensive reinforcements arrive. In anchoring the NBA’s No. 1-ranked defense in the convincing win on February 4, 2024, Gobert was business as usual, connecting on a double-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, one steal, and four rejections.

Able to pinpoint precisely where things went awry as his team attempted their hand at correcting a 13-point halftime deficit, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coach settled on one differentiator: the Los Angeles Lakers simply “wanting it more.” Through a sizzling second-half shooting touch and a tenacious two-energy befitting of his bright orange-colored shoe selection, Donte DiVincenzo ensured that such struggles wouldn’t become a pattern. Authoring a brilliant two-steals-in-eight-seconds sequence, DiVincenzo kickstarts his magic, first by taking on the unenviable task of barricading a full-steam-ahead LeBron James cut to the rim, hustling to force turnover No. 1. Reattaching his superhero cape once more after his teammates cough up their own turnover, the newly-acquired Timberwolves talent takes flight, disrupting Los Angeles’ plans once more in the passing lanes, this time eventually setting up a score. Tallying a +9 plus-minus in the third quarter alone, DiVincenzo propelled that brilliant two-way period into a 10-point, three-rebound, three-assist, two-steal, two-triple showing during a closely-contested loss on October 22, 2024.

Donte DiVincenzo

On a night when he left fingerprints all over the boxscore, Minnesota Timberwolves wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker made it look easy. Running the floor after teammate Mike Conley forces a turnover, Alexander-Walker corrals a lead pass then nonchalantly flips a behind-back dime to a streaking Karl-Anthony Towns for a jam. Alexander-Walker scored 20 points in the November 30, 2023 contest, adding five rebounds, seven assists, five steals and a pair of blocks for good measure.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

A man of many pledges and promises upon arriving to his new, title-contending environment in the Twin Cities, Julius Randle couldn’t help but pivot forward with optimism in what he projects to be his career’s “best year yet.” Though, with Jayson Hayes mirroring said movements on an isolation island from the 3-point arc’s top, the Minnesota Timberwolves star proved that a quick, deceptive sidestep never hurt anyone, either. Given his first taste of offensive alpha dog-type status with his fellow All-Star running mate resting, Randle stores a proven, signature move, lulling Los Angeles’ big to sleep through a jab step clinic before burying a rhythmic trifecta. The Los Angeles Lakers, buoyed by both timely runs and a demonstrative first half, would command the season-opening win on October 22, 2024, but not without a competitive showing from Randle’s new-look Wolves. Returning to the arena that first observed his progression into a three-time All-Star, Randle tallied 16 points (on 5-of-10 shooting), nine rebounds, four assists, and one 3-pointer.

You don’t log 17 years in the league without knowing how to live in the moment. A stabilizing veteran presence on a thriving Minnesota Timberwolves team, Mike Conley waits patiently in the corner while teammate Athony Edwards breaks down the defense on the final possession of a one-point ball game. Ready and eager to corral a kick-out pass, Conley cues up and drains a lead-padding three with 10 seconds on the clock. In addition to the insurance dagger, Conley racked up 13 points and eight assists in the November 14, 2023 matchup.

Assuming you survive the historically elite 3-point accuracy and rim-protection skills of their top two centers, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the rare teams equipped with a third big who can still supply a healthy dose of both. A plugged-in cheat code for the Wolves’ second unit, Naz Reid unleashes a dazzling 42-second sequence, using guard-like agility in a pick-and-roll setting before working a nimble half-spin, step-through combination on his way to an off-hand finish. Sensing the chance for more, the skillful big expertly fills the lane, carving out open space for a wide-open corner 3-pointer, capping off a personally-manufactured 8-0 run to bring the crowd to its feet. Reid’s otherworldly first quarter culminated with 13 points in just three minutes, setting the tone for a 20-point, three-rebound, two-steal, one-block finish along with four 3-pointers in the comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies on January 18, 2024.

Given an opportunity to test themselves in a measuring stick game against the defending champions, the Minnesota Timberwolves wisely allowed Jaden McDaniels to introduce two of his greatest traits: his wingspan and vertical leap. Promptly rising to the occasion against one of the NBA’s elite teams, McDaniels puts on a show in persistence, quickly recovering a loose ball after his initial dribble goes amiss. Recognizing an exploitable driving lane in the Denver Nuggets’ now-scrambled defense, the talented forward revs his engine, taking to the lane with an elusive gather step on the way to a powerful one-handed flush. Just weeks removed from setting a new career-high in scoring against a different Western Conference elite, McDaniels was back at it, tying it with 26 points, alongside six rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and four 3-pointers, battling valiantly in the one-possession loss on March 19, 2024.

From gaudy box score numbers to the celebrations that follow, talents across the NBA are seldom shy in providing proof of how adept they are at getting a step or two ahead of their competition. In building what had become a week defined by his excellence in crunchtime, Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle picked a most creative, literal way of leaving his evidence behind. Two nights before burying a game-winner on his home floor, Randle prepares himself for the role of crowd-silencer, putting perseverance to the test during a physical, testy drive against Trey Lyles’ resistance. Eventually barreling his way into a favorable spot with his strong hand, Randle — losing a shoe, but winning the battle that truly mattered — balances into a go-ahead bucket, ultimately sealing victory in OT on November 15, 2024. Forced to kick things into overdrive after a 60-point rebuttal from the Sacramento Kings’ All-Star guard, Randle was top-tier himself, recording 26 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.

It takes a special type of bench for a head coach to reason that there are “eight starters” capable of filling his five-man opening rotation. Entirely in his element as the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Naz Reid led a group that confirmed that the Minnesota Timberwolves were indeed one of those teams. Already solidified as one of the evening’s standouts, Reid puts padding on Minnesota’s 26-point, final-quarter lead, punishing Miles Bridges’ closeout with the threat of a drive that chainlinks into a space-creating between-the-leg dribble. Elevated into a release before the Charlotte Hornets forward can recover, Reid connects on a 26-footer, icing the cake on a celebratory victory on November 4, 2024. Committed to a goal of helping Minnesota reestablish rhythm, Reid needed just 25 minutes to produce 25 points (on 9-of-13 shooting), nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, five 3-pointers, and +33 plus-minus.

Not necessarily known for a breakneck offensive pace, nor a punishing fastbreak attack, the Minnesota Timberwolves allowed Luka Garza and the second unit to showcase the results of when they hunt in packs. Prepared to tie the bow on Minnesota’s 23-point fastbreak scoring night, Garza races out in transition, positioning himself to take advantage of a teammate’s advance pass that unlocks a two-on-one. Merely a step away from the rim after all is said and done, Garza forces down a one-handed flush, pushing the Timberwolves’ lead to 28 in the final minute. Hustle points were a staple in Garza’s brief, five-minute cameo, as Minnesota sent the Portland Trail Blazers home without a victory during November 8, 2024’s battle. Seizing his many opportunities over that short time, Garza chipped in six points (on three-of-six shooting).

Luka Garza

Across every generation of basketball, there lies an exclusive group of players equipped with an offensive toolbox brilliant enough to be studied, replayed, and ultimately, replicated by those following. On February 24, 2025, against the Western Conference’s almost-season-long No. 1 seed, Anthony Edwards encouraged a dialogue that might be of equal importance: on off-shooting nights how else does that superstar impact the outcome? Proven to already have some of that question figured out, Minnesota’s steady-ascending All-Star matches it with an on-court example, rotating into help position with celebrated crunchtime scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander entering the paint, eyeing overtime’s go-ahead bucket. Later deeming himself to be “Superman with a bad calf,” Edwards presents his blue cape, rescuing the Minnesota Timberwolves with a game-saving block —  and a flex thereafter — prompting a teammate’s rebound, free throws, and subsequently, a successful 25-point comeback. Victory arrived in unique fashion, with Minnesota’s final-quarter comeback arriving with Edwards along the sidelines. Savoring every win regardless, Edwards saved his best for the final-minute, eventually overwhelming the Oklahoma City Thunder through a gutsy 17-point, 13-rebound, eight-assist, one-block, one-triple effort.

For longtime supporters of superstars from basketball’s previous generation, history is making it clear that there’s one new-school player they should be hoping to avoid a head-to-head against come postseason time: Anthony Edwards. Unapologetically aware of the almost-nonexistent numbers of experts picking the Minnesota Timberwolves, “Ant-Man” left his most resounding message for Game Four, in which the Wolves trailed for 38 of a possible 48 minutes, and fell behind by double-digits late. The next 12 minutes —  as evidenced through a 16-point final quarter — became “The Anthony Edwards Show,” built through in-your-face 3-pointers, magical buckets featuring pump fakes and footwork, and eventually, the game-icing free throws. Seemingly basketball’s version of “The Legend Killer,” Edwards, for the second-consecutive season, made quick work of Hall of Fame-bound groups in relatively-quick opening-round series. Again living up to his profile as a big-time riser come springtime, Edwards closed April 27, 2025’s win with a 43-point, nine-rebound, six-assist, one-block masterpiece, accompanied by elite efficiency overall (12-of-23), from deep (5-of-10), and on foul shots (14-of-17).

In 2003-04, during an NBA Finals journey that included a six-game dispatch of the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed the luxuries of rostering an all-world center who produced league history’s last 25-point, 20-rebound, 75-percent shooting postseason game. It might’ve taken 21 seasons, but during a five-game gentleman’s sweep, Rudy Gobert’s Wolves found the adage to be true: “what goes around comes back around.” Maligned at times, after falling shy of his 12-point regular-season average, the three-time All-Star emerged as an unstoppable force during April 30, 2025’s opening minute, routinely overpowering L.A.’s undersized front. Rim-bending jams became a recurring sight for those in purple-and-gold, as Gobert, accurately described as a “dragon” by his All-Star teammate afterwards, became a flying, fire-breathing two-way force throughout his 27-point (on 12-of-15 shooting), 24-rebound, two-block domination. In between shattering multi-decade-long franchise records and generating career-bests, Gobert, in the greatest irony of all, became the NBA’s first to reach those first-mentioned numbers since — you guessed it — Lakeshow’s 7-foot-1, 325-pound behemoth two decades ago.

For the majority of its 42-year existence, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award has become the face for dynamite off-the-bench scorers, capable of rebooting a team’s psyche with buckets at a moment’s notice. Mired by both a four-game slide and his team’s struggle in putting the basketball through, Naz Reid let the Minnesota Timberwolves know that 2023-24’s winner didn’t mind providing game-changing plays on the floor’s less glamorous end, too. Finding scoreboard totals low, but his energy and ambition levels high, Reid turbos the floor, trailing a pair of L.A. Clippers in a seemingly-fruitless effort in a one-on-two chasedown effort. In figurative predator-versus-prey-type form, Reid, immediately upon recognizing Terance Mann’s layup attempt, extends into a fearsome swat, sending the shot against the backboard to ultimately set up a 3-pointer on the opposite end. Reid’s intensity helped Minnesota outlast Los Angeles for a one-point victory, with the versatile big man contributing eight points, six rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and a 3-pointer.

Humorously aware of the Golden State Warriors’ goal of forcing a Game Six, and, as he put it, “get Wardell back,” Anthony Edwards reached into his toolbox with plans to both throw monkey wrenches and drop hammers all at once. Nearly 100 games into 2024-25’s full season, and tossing “Dunk of the Year” entries through the ballot, the Minnesota Timberwolves superstar shoots out of a metaphorical cannon, flattening Jonathan Kuminga’s stance effectively enough to carve out a through-the-lane path. Exacting revenge after ending up on the wrong end of Kuminga’s poster jam earlier, Edwards gets comeuppance — quite literally — just three minutes later with a ferocious throwdown, adding to his already almost-one-of-a-kind collection. Few experiences rival that of watching one of Edwards’ single-half scoring eruptions, and on May 10, 2025, Edwards illustrated why, scoring 28 of his 36 over the final two quarters, alongside a four-rebound, four-assist, one-block, five-triple complement. It encouraged Edwards’ 18th postseason victory — for reference, Minnesota had only 18 postseason wins as a franchise over its first 31 seasons — planting the seeds for a second-straight Western Conference Finals berth just days later.

Limiting the NBA’s most revered in-game dunker — arguably, at least — to just two shot attempts over Game Four’s first 24 minutes represented a job well done for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they strolled through the halftime tunnel. Any celebration, though, would’ve had to be short-lived, given the 7-foot-1 boulder they found rolling in their direction just minutes into the third quarter. Eager to put an All-Star-like fingerprint on 2025’s West Finals, Rudy Gobert creates his opportunity, using a pick-and-roll that propels his momentum forward, and his white-jerseyed opponents in a retreated backpedal. Finding that to be the perfect formula for a highlight, Gobert executes his power steps flawlessly, veering through traffic before throwing a hammer down on Isaiah Hartenstein’s helpless contest. The No. 1-seeded Thunder proved themselves to be one bucket better on May 25, 2025, positioning themselves for a 3-1 series edge; productive nonetheless, Gobert enjoyed his series’ best game, compiling 13 points (on five-of-eight shooting), nine rebounds, three assists, and a block.

As the Los Angeles Lakers’ faithful brainstormed reasons for faith after falling behind 3-1, they could predictably fall back in knowing that they had the greatest author of said come-from-behind circumstance in basketball’s history. The record will show, though, that on both the scoreboards and from an on-court aspect, a pack of trailing Minnesota Timberwolves was a just-as-fearsome sight. Lagging slightly behind during his teammates’ fastbreak charge — and yet, ironically in perfect position all along —  Naz Reid turns the circumstance into a profit, connecting on a rapid-fire 3-pointer that further fuels the Wolves’ comeback attempt. Galvanized by a fired-up crowd, Reid’s trifecta, trimming the late-game deficit to just two, proved to be exactly what Minnesota needed for both victory and a stranglehold on their opening-round series. Top-of-the-league in terms of his ability to provide an off-the-bench spark, Reid finished with 12 points (eight in the fourth), joined by four rebounds, two steals, and two triples during April 27, 2025’s resilient victory.

More often seen making himself a must-know name throughout the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Summer League circuit, Josh Minott used December 4, 2024’s regular-season stage to showcase his ability to spring. Energetic immediately upon check-in against the L.A. Clippers, Minott takes advantage of a ball screen that catapults his runway to the rim. Determined to turn the opportunity into a roof-raising jam, Minott soars high, extending into a one-handed flush that pushes Minnesota’s lead to 22 in the second frame. Correlation equaled causation for Minott, who turned his career’s second-ever game with 20+ minutes into another double-digit performance, tallying 13 points (on five-of-seven shooting), accompanied by eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and a 3-pointer. Minnesota as a whole had plenty to celebrate, rolling their way to a 28-point victory, and vaulting themselves above .500 in the process.

Josh Minott

Productive, but yet slightly off-track in comparison to his regular-season tallies, Donte DiVincenzo entered the Western Conference Finals as a player due, at some point, for a slump-breaking showcase. Presented with as good a time as any —  with the Minnesota Timberwolves hoping to avoid an ever-troublesome 3-1 series hole — DiVincenzo camps along the far left 3-point corner, biding time as his teammate unlocks options with a perfectly-schemed back screen. Locked, loaded, and ready to deliver what the night’s commentators called “DiVincenzo Dynamite,” the seventh-year sniper buries a trifecta, tying the game during the late-third. May 26, 2025’s Game Four became the type of performance that DiVincenzo’s year-to-year game logs are littered with, even as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s late-game execution proved slightly superior. In his highest-scoring game of the Wolves’ 15-game postseason run, DiVincenzo erupted for 21 points (on 7-of-11 shooting), three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers, starring on a night that saw Minnesota collect 64 bench points.

For a player who jokingly admitted that he prefers hostile road environments over the comfort of homecourt advantage, Jaden McDaniels sure knows a thing or two about bringing Target Center to its collective feet. A verified riser — both on the playoff stage, and in literal vertical leap — the fifth-year forward puts said skills on exhibit through a two-way sequence, first by rocketing through the air to reject Moses Moody’s long-range attempt. Finding a “red carpet” rolled out exclusively for him during the one-man breakaway thereafter, McDaniels seizes advantage, jamming in a two-handed back-scratcher that propels the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 15-point second-half lead. A perfect three-of-three, in terms of elevating his scoring averages and efficiency from regular-season to postseason, McDaniels used those gifts to turbocharge the Wolves’ offense during a series-tying Game Two on May 8, 2025. Extraordinary on both sides, McDaniels overwhelmed the Golden State Warriors through a 16-point rally (on 7-of-10 shooting), backed by a three-assist, three-steal, three-block, one-triple complement.

Methods geared towards stopping the Oklahoma City Thunder’s third-ranked offense from putting on a downpour certainly aren’t plentiful, but in Game One of 2025’s West Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves arrived with something quite useful: a 6-foot-9, 185-pound umbrella. With the persistence of an extended car warranty salesman, McDaniels makes himself a shadow for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s every step, keeping tightly attached, even as the newly-named Most Valuable Player craftily spins into the paint. Presented, eventually, with the opportunity to pair his pesky defense with a box score contribution, McDaniels cashes in, using a perfectly-timed leap and swat to keep the Wolves’ lockdown defense message alive. The 68-win Thunder ultimately found their footing in the second half, firing on enough cylinders to take a 1-0 series edge in the best-of-seven series. Nevertheless productive when called upon, McDaniels closed May 20, 2025’s evening with seven points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, one 3-pointer, and four shot contests.

Currently on-pace to produce more steals per game (10.8) than any team in the NBA’s last 25 years, the Oklahoma City Thunder —  in ways few others do — understand the importance of making offensive talents think twice before passing. Soon positioned to give Oklahoma City a taste of its own medicine, Jaylen Clark focuses in, first urging Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s pick-and-roll direction towards the floor’s crowded middle, encouraging the lesser of the two evils. Keeping his head swiveled and his hands active, Clark then turns his teammates’ trap into a tipped pass before racing towards Row A in hopes of keeping possession alive. Accurate in the ensuing save, Clark sends the basketball skyward and ultimately, within grasp of his veteran guard who finishes the job, setting up a transition jam. Long known for his notorious defensive instincts, Clark showcased gifts in abundance during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ competitive loss on February 23, 2025, recording 14 points (on a nearly-pristine six-of-seven), alongside one rebound, four steals, and two 3-pointers.

Jaylen Clark

No one player was solely responsible for the birth of the term “3-and-D” in the early-2010s, but after 18 seasons of providing just that, Mike Conley has solidified his spot among its grandfathers. A steady thorn in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s side for a decade-and-a-half, Minnesota’s silky-smooth southpaw creates a new example, escaping the chaos of a crowded top-of-the-key fray to free himself for a spot-up triple. Now faced with the unenviable task of helping shield Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s path to the rim, Conley successfully sets the bait, turning his defensive “faceguard” into a deflection, and ultimately, a second 3-pointer. Miraculously unfinished, Conley netted a third 3-pointer one possession later, creating a nine-point heat check over a 42-second span. Clouding the Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory hopes through a 43-point third quarter rainstorm of their own, Oklahoma City would eventually collect December 31, 2024’s victory. Conley, though, made himself a standout through 16 points (on 5-of-10 shooting), four assists, two steals, and four treys.

Of all the literal bars that Anthony Edwards’ 6-foot-4 frame, 41½-inch vertical, and unwavering confidence have allowed him to reach, there stood one metaphorical example positioned to greatly test those gifts: the lofty, heightened expectations of 2024-25’s NBA season. 33 games in, nationally-televised analysts reasoned that Edwards — officially the unquestioned alpha of the Wild West’s runner-up — had fallen slightly off-pace from his last year’s extraordinary pace. On January 4, 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ All-Star offered as strong a rebuttal as one reasonably could, unleashing a three-level offensive avalanche against the Detroit Pistons’ defense. The downtown-focused shot diet remained a focus, as Edwards eased his way into deep pick-and-roll pull-ups and nifty rhythm dribble shots; in between, though, Minnesota’s do-it-all guard also incorporated silky-smooth attacks of the rim, leaving no stone unturned. Even in defeat, individual excellence was easy to find within Ant-Man’s career-high night, as he constructed a 53-point, six-rebound, two-assist masterpiece on sound efficiency from the field (16-of-31), from deep (10-of-15), and from the foul stripe (11-of-12). Skyrocketed thereafter, Edwards rode said momentum to a 31.3-point average (on 46-45-85 percentages) over the rest of January.

When asked about Rob Dillingham’s progression two months into his NBA journey, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ veteran point guard offered heaps of praise, describing the No. 8 pick to have something of a “mean streak.” From its highlight-worthy quality to the selflessness it showcased, though, Dillingham’s contribution to Minnesota’s offense on December 15, 2024 couldn’t be categorized as anything other than nice. Incorporating first a heads-up contribution on defense, the exceptionally-gifted point guard telegraphs the San Antonio Spurs’ ill-advised pass, positioning himself for what appeared to be a one-on-one footrace to the rim against Malaki Branham. Keeping both the cameramen and the night’s opponents on their toes, Dillingham —  creative as always — shovels a pass towards the backboard, positioning it perfectly for an off-the-glass alley-oop jam to his teammate. In orchestrating a play that provided perfect exclamation to Minnesota’s blowout road win, Dillingham made effective, innovative use of his nine-minute cameo, ultimately recording three points, one rebound, two assists, and a steal.

Someday down the line, when Nickeil Alexander-Walker and his Most Valuable Player-winning cousin are reliving their glory days and evaluating their legacies, it’s likely that they’ll stumble across May 26, 2025 as a day that can’t be forgotten. Proving take-over-a-game scoring to run through the veins on both sides of the family, Alexander-Walker — from an off-the-bench role — found time to finish No. 1 on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ scoring column during the season’s biggest game to date. Part-wolf, part-alpha dog during a night that offered a postseason career-high 15 shot attempts, Alexander-Walker blessed highlight reels with acrobatic double-clutch finishes through traffic, catch-and-shoot triples, and everything in between. Minnesota, in some ways, cracked the code of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top-ranked defense, averaging 134.5 points during a two-game trip back home. Valiant in his efforts despite the two-point loss, Alexander-Walker starred through 23 points (on 9-of-15 shooting), four rebounds, six assists, two steals, five triples, and a game-high +6 plus-minus.

Feelgood, redemption stories are what keeps the NBA’s ecosystem spinning, and during the 2025 postseason, few players have written chapters rivaling that of Julius Randle during Year One with the Minnesota Timberwolves. A man of his word after promising that 2024-25’s saga would be his career’s best, Randle walked the talk, overwhelming the Golden State Warriors’ resistance through spot-ups — accompanied by the occasional dance move — transition and-ones, and everything in between. Keeping a blue-colored foot on the gas pedal until Game Five’s finish, Randle’s fourth quarter reel illustrated many of his best traits, as the three-time All-Star used a pick-and-roll to unlock his path for an acrobatic, double-clutch reverse. Described by his all-world running mate as “a whole different person” after returning to the wolfpack in early-March, Randle rewrote his postseason saga, earning his first-ever Conference Finals appearance through a 25.2-point scoring in the West Semis. Motivated to, as he put it, prove that he was a winner, Randle did just that in May 14, 2025’s closeout, erupting for 29 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers.

Tangled into a world-colliding battle of strengths against Alperen Şengün’s low-post artistry on 50 possessions —  and 17 different shot attempts — Rudy Gobert proved noticeably ready during one of November 26, 2024’s most consequential head-to-head collisions. Harshly reminding Houston’s up-and-coming center of who owns four Defensive Player of the Year trophies in a case nearby, Gobert, backpedaled into a pick-and-roll drop, sends Şengün’s layup attempt appropriately off glass, drawing the home crowd’s applause. The standout play kept the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets in a scoreboard deadlock with under 20 seconds remaining, a decisive moment that soon encouraged overtime. Houston’s late-game OT run ultimately allowed for both victory and the securing of the NBA Cup’s West Group A. Gobert, though, held his own nonetheless against one of the NBA’s more paint-oriented offenses, holding opposing scorers to just 9-of-29 shooting (31.0 percent) as the nearest defender. The three-time All-Star complemented said tracking data brilliance with a five-point, 16-rebound, two-assist, one-block contribution on the box score.

The good news, for the Utah Jazz, is that the NBA’s 82-game scheduling rules permit only three or four matchups per season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The bad news? Anthony Edwards’ unrivaled athleticism and around-the-rim creativity seem to guarantee a replayable highlight whenever the two go head-to-head. A year and two days removed from 2023-24’s “Dunk Heard Around the World,” Edwards — needing all of eight minutes to begin encore hunting — punishes Utah’s unwise decision to triple team his teammate’s post-up, immediately rocketing towards the floor's middle. Enjoying a dunker’s dream scenario with his rim-running cut completely uncovered, Minnesota’s highflying guard straps on his jetpack before dropping a one-handed boom over Walker Kessler’s helpless 7-foot frame. “Austin 3:16” went down in history, but “Anthony 3:16” wasn’t too shabby either, as Edwards used March 16, 2025’s win to rattle off a 41-point masterpiece (on 16-of-27) shooting, paired with a two-rebound, two-assist, one-steal, five-triple complement. Undefeated throughout the month to that point, the Wolves rode Edwards’ extraordinary play to an eighth-consecutive victory.

Like paw tracks in a forest, signs of success for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2025 NBA Playoffs have often included one thing: marquee performances courtesy of Julius Randle. With wins and losses seemingly tethered to the accuracy of his left shoulder, Minnesota’s All-Star lets fly a no-hesitation 27-foot bomb, rainbowing a bucket to extend the lead to 42. Past results spoke for themselves, as the Wolves — 35-12 when he surpassed the 20-point plateau, and 19-18 when he didn’t —benefitted from an ultra-aggressive, big-time showing from Randle during May 24, 2025’s blowout win. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top-of-the-league defense, Randle’s night concluded with 24 points (on 9-of-15 shooting), four rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers in just 30 minutes. Randle complemented his offense by contesting a game-high eight shots, and holding opponents to just 35.7 percent shooting (on 14 attempts) as the nearest defender.

Head-to-head tracking statistics — including a 34.7 shooting percentage allowed (on 72 attempts) against the Los Angeles Lakers’ top four scorers — confirmed that Rudy Gobert’s perennially-elite defense had settled into postseason form from the get-go. From there, only one question remained: with Los Angeles unwilling to utilize neither depth nor height, when would the Minnesota Timberwolves’ three-time All-Star breakthrough offensively? Said floodgates opened in a major way in Game Five’s win-or-go-home setting, headlined by a perfectly-timed putback jam on his teammate’s misfired 3-pointer, affording the Wolves a much-needed three-point lead in the final five minutes. On the backs of 18 offensive rebounds — nine of which arriving from the decorated Frenchman — Minnesota survived a back-and-forth finish, stamping a Western Conference Semifinals ticket on April 30, 2025. Nothing short of historic, Gobert enjoyed a 27-point, 24-rebound, two-block showing (on 12-of-15 shooting), becoming the NBA’s first-ever to produce those raw numbers and percentage marks in a closeout game.

Much was made of Anthony Edwards’ outward assumption about having “a whole bunch” of opportunities to chase championships in the future. Arguments on both sides hold merit, but to the 23-year-old’s credit, almost one-of-a-kind athleticism has allowed him the edge in both races against time, and against on-court opponents. Using Game Three of the 2025 West Finals as a case in point, Minnesota’s fifth-year superstar turns Isaiah Hartenstein’s missed touch shot — and the subsequent deflection — into a test of speed and ambition for a loose ball. Leaving Oklahoma City Thunder defenders floored, and metaphorical trails of smoke during his speedy, flawlessly-executed tip-and-pursue of the ball, Edwards cashes in his reward through a back-scratching two-hander, immediately setting the tone. Few NBA talents are as well-equipped to hunt for greatness, and Edwards confirmed as such on May 24, 2025, as he jumped to No. 5 all-time in terms of postseason points scored before 24. Elevating his game during the must-win, Edwards closed with 30 points (on 12-of-17 shooting), nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and five 3-pointers.

As any rookie to step foot on the NBA’s hardwood is likely to attest, the goal of checking off milestones immediately upon entry is certainly the goal. Though, for Terrence Shannon Jr., if there were a “perfect” time and place for his delayed regular-season arrival to take shape, the Chicago Bulls’ United Center would undoubtedly be the No. 1 choice. As respected and revered as they come along basketball’s Midwest region, the 2024 No. 27 pick works urgently in turning his homecoming into a trending topic, blazing past Chris Duarte’s closeout to create a reasonably-open driving path. Finding only fellow NBA Draft classmate Matas Buzelis now standing in his way, the former Fighting Illini star balances into a soft-touch left-hander, collecting his NBA career’s first points. With victory secured, the Minnesota Timberwolves rookie had another crowd-rocking display stashed away a half-minute later, turning in an emphatic steal-and-slam, giving him both an efficient four-point, one-steal contribution in just two minutes time, and November 7, 2024's final statement.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

From the road-heavy stretch that he and the Minnesota Timberwolves had only just endured, to the grueling three-games-in-four-nights gauntlet patiently awaiting him, obstacles to Anthony Edwards’ greatness stood aplenty in late-November. Though, as the Houston Rockets’ No. 2-ranked defense learned the hard way, the electrifying fifth-year guard remains equipped with a trick or two for any on-court maneuver stonewalling his path. Equal parts nifty and shifty upon recognizing Fred VanVleet’s intent to pressure his handle, Edwards works a laterally-moving between-the-leg, behind-the-back combination before one-upping himself with a pick-and-roll-splitting handle that eliminates two different prospective Houston Rockets defenders. Like an action movie hero eliminating antagonists one-by-one, “Ant-Man” — with VanVleet stubbornly trailing once more in his rearview — tiptoes into a Eurostep gather, surviving Dillon Brooks before energetically banking in a bucket over Jabari Smith’s 6-foot-11 frame. Dazzling in defeat, Edwards’ box score on November 26, 2024 told the story of a generationally-gifted bucket-getter welcoming all challenges, as Edwards flossed his skillset in a 29-point, 10-rebound, one-steal, three-block, three-triple finish.

Of all the titles that Julius Randle could’ve chosen for the now-nine-part documentary chronicling his 2024-25 season, it’s safe to say that his final pick —  “flipping the script” — described his journey as flawlessly as anything else could. Due for a positive moment under the postseason spotlight, the multi-time All-Star passed Game Five’s exam with flying colors, collecting buckets from all three levels to keep the Golden State Warriors’ defense grounded. May 14, 2025’s menu included spot-up triples, crafty around-the-rim finishes, and ultimately, a well-earned first-ever ticket to the Western Conference Finals during Year One with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Steamrolling through the state of California during the first two series, Randle closed the series with 29 points (on a brilliant 13-of-18), alongside eight rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers, alongside a spirited defensive effort. It marked the continuation of a dazzling postseason story in which Randle, through the first two rounds, stood as one of just three players to average at least 20 points on 50 percent shooting.

Even in a league where the phrase “great offense beats great defense” continues to hold infinite truth, gifted bucket-getters across the Association know that conquering “The Klaw” often requires putting one’s best foot forward. In the rare case of one Jaden McDaniels on January 6, 2025, the idea of a deceptive step was all that it took. Mirrored along the perimeter against a former two-time Defensive Player of the Year, McDaniels leaves the L.A. Clippers star searching for the lightswitch in a dark room, working a fearsome jab-and-stepback combination that yields a wide-open look. Smooth and rhythmic in his release, McDaniels cashes in, burying a 3-pointer that boosts the Minnesota Timberwolves’ opening-quarter lead. Jab steps proved friendly throughout for the fifth-year forward, who drained timely buckets throughout Minnesota’s thrilling come-from-behind win. One of few misses, McDaniels finished with 11 points (on four-of-five shooting), alongside two rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and three triples.

For all of the adjustments the Minnesota Timberwolves have been forced into after accepting a seismic, franchise-altering trade in early-October, one aspect has remained almost the same: the ability to clamp down defensively. Among the many constants helping make that happen, Nickeil Alexander-Walker squares into a defensive stance against Nick Smith Jr., ultimately using a deflection to send the basketball flying towards the floor’s opposite side. Soon successful in his trackdown, Minnesota’s gifted six-year swingman incorporates a second highlight, hitting a teammate in stride for a score with a behind-the-back dime. Above league average in their ability to turn turnovers into points, the Timberwolves certainly had defense-to-offense sequences in mind on March 5, 2025, as they recorded 18 points off turnovers during a double-digit win. Supplying intangibles and “winning plays” throughout, Alexander-Walker produced a three-point, four-rebound, three-assist, two-steal, one-block, one-triple effort, as Minnesota moved to six games above .500.

Having endured back-to-back losses just twice over 2024-25’s full 97-game slate to that point, the Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t going to find many opposers, in regards to their self-proclaimed “track record” of responding after losses. But, to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and his ability to beat defenders with straight-line speed, that must’ve sounded like a challenge. Meaning business immediately after crossing midcourt, Alexander-Walker leaves Alex Caruso misplaced, spinning quicker than a record player during his pick-and-roll rejection. Finding the challenge to be no easier with Jalen Williams — and Chet Holmgren’s long-limbed help side defense — arriving thereafter, Minnesota’s second unit spark merely ups his creativity, whirling an unorthodox finish through for a brilliant finish. It became that kind of night for Alexander-Walker, who led the Minnesota Timberwolves’ scoring effort in just 29 minutes. Stealing the show, even in defeat, Alexander-Walker’s final tally included 23 points (on 9-of-15 shooting), four boards, six assists, two steals, and five 3-pointers.

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Chase the

$439 Moment

hidden in these packs