ORLANDO – Anthony Edwards took flight Thursday night during the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ 104-89 victory over the Orlando Magic, and when he landed, he created another highlight-reel throw-down that will slot nicely on every compilation of dunks Edwards has had in his career.
Edwards leapt from the left lane as Orlando’s Anthony Black slid over to defend. Except it seemed Black was caught between getting out of the way and trying to defend Edwards. Either way, Edwards dunked over his head and drew a foul. Similar to other dunks of Edwards’ career, such as when he posterized John Collins in Utah a season ago, it sent a shudder through the home crowd and a jolt of energy through his teammates.
“I feel that’s typically how it go, especially if it’s a big play like that,” Edwards said. “The away fans, they get on your side after a dunk like that. … It gives me a lot of energy for sure. You feel like you’re at home after you dunk on somebody like that.”
The Wolves went from up seven before Edwards’ dunk to burying the shorthanded Magic, who were down several key contributors, including franchise player Paolo Banchero and Minnehaha Academy alum Jalen Suggs.
The dunk was the only two-point field goal Edwards made on a night he shot 5-for-19 (4-for-11 from three-point range). But he added seven assists and the Wolves cruised to their third consecutive victory. The mercurial Wolves have had ebbs and flows, when it seems losing and winning both come in small bunches. They are riding another crest right now.
“I don’t know. I hope it’s the end of it, though,” said forward Julius Randle, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds. “I think we’re due for a good winning streak right now. We’ve had a tough schedule. I’m not making excuses obviously, but we played the best of the best, so there’s going to be a little bit of that, but we’re due for a winning streak, and hopefully that’s the end of [the losing streaks].”
This latest winning streak has coincided with strong play from Edwards, who didn’t have his best shooting night Thursday but had lifted the Wolves by scoring 53 points in a loss at Detroit and then 37 in a home victory over the Clippers and 32 in a victory at New Orleans. This scoring binge came after Edwards, who spoke postgame for the first time in a few games, complained about the volume of double teams he was seeing following a loss to Boston on Jan. 2. How does he feel now?
“I’m ballin’ like Spalding,” Edwards said. He then added: “I’m a player who loves to score the ball. It’s very challenging at times, but it’s fun to figure out different ways to still be aggressive and still be myself. Watching more and more film is starting to make it a little more relief instead of stressing me out.”
