The Los Angeles Lakers were the favorites heading into their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but now find themselves on the brink of elimination. The Lakers fell down 3-1 after Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a 116-113 win in Game 4, and Stephen A. Smith was full of praise for the guard on First Take.
“This brother, after taking them to the Conference Finals and getting smoked by Luka [Doncic], is not only smoking Luka, he’s smoking LeBron [James] too,” Smith said. “With LeBron doing his thing, still it’s not enough!
“We just said it [Brian Windhorst], you said it,” Smith continued. “The best player in this series, with LeBron and Luka on the basketball court, is a 23-year-old with a $200+ million contract playing like he broke… Last statement, I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, he is a shark in blood-infested waters.
“Yeah, I think this series is going to go back to Minnesota, but make no mistake, he’s coming to take them out in LA,” Smith added. “He wants to ruin Tinseltown for them all summer long. Ant-Man is coming. I’m sorry, he’s arrived.”
Edwards, who is in the first year of a five-year, $244 million deal, has indeed been the best player in a series involving LeBron James and Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old has averaged 29.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game against the Lakers. He’s been particularly deadly from beyond the arc, shooting 43.2% from three.
Edwards has also outperformed Doncic and James when it has mattered most. He is averaging 5.0 points per game (66.7% FG) in the clutch in the playoffs, which ranks third in the NBA. As for Doncic, he is at 1.0 points per game while James has yet to score in a clutch situation.
The Lakers had effectively slowed down Edwards when they faced him in the regular season, as he had put up just 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. He wasn’t efficient either, as he shot 40.0% from the field and 32.3% from beyond the arc. With that in mind, you thought Edwards might struggle just a little bit in the series, but that hasn’t been the case.
To go with that offensive production, Edwards has excelled on the defensive end, too. The three-time All-Star has been the complete package and is the biggest reason why the Timberwolves find themselves in such a commanding position.
What has also impressed so many about Edwards is that he has gone after James. He isn’t the least bit intimidated by the four-time NBA champion and has been quite physical when battling him on the court.
Edwards justified his increased physicality with James by stating he just wants to let them know that the Timberwolves won’t be pushed around. He also added that he considers the Lakers’ star as a big brother to him now.
No matter who you are, though, Edwards is going to try to rip your heart out on the court. He went after his idol, Kevin Durant, in the playoffs last year and ended up sweeping him.
Edwards won’t be sweeping James and the Lakers out of the playoffs, but a gentleman’s sweep is still on the cards. He’d be determined to land the knockout blow when the teams face off for Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday at 10 PM ET. The Lakers will have to be at their best if they are to stave off elimination.
