Anthony Edwards’ head coach eyed first the Western Conference standings, and then the opponent next on the schedule before settling on a conclusion: April 9, 2024’s clash against the Washington Wizards would be of the absolute, must-win type. As fate would have it, this was all the two-time All-Star needed to hear. Still two weeks away from the Minnesota Timberwolves’ postseason journey, Edwards used the stage to provide an early appetizer, overwhelming the Wizards’ resistance from every level. Within Edwards’ career night was a bit of everything: the patented turnaround jumper — off the glass, no less — transition jams, pull-up jumpers, and the occasional act of balletic grace and competitiveness reminiscent of that one all-time two-guard whose career ended in Washington. With a finger sleeve attached to his left hand, partly in tribute to Minnesota’s most celebrated legend, Edwards, fittingly, helped coordinate the 21-point comeback that ensured victory, while becoming Minnesota’s sixth-ever player to construct a 50-point performance. Edwards’ final tally featured 51 points (on a blistering 17-of-29), six rebounds, seven assists, and six 3-pointers. In surviving the potential “trap game,” Minnesota temporarily grasped the No. 1 seed, setting up a high-stakes, next-night duel against a team with an identical record. · Apr 10, 2024