Anthony Edwards: The Unstoppable Force in the NBA
Is there anything opposing defenses can truly do with Anthony Edwards? At some point, teams have to be asking themselves that question after another scintillating show put on display in the second half Saturday in San Antonio. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar guard shredded the San Antonio Spurs, who sport the NBA’s third-best defense, over the final two quarters, scoring 39 points, easily the most in a single half in the association this season.
The Spurs, who led by 25 at the break, held on for a three-point victory, but only after Edwards’ impressive performance. The guard, who scored a career-high 55 points in the game, drilled eight triples over the final two frames, including five in a 26-point final frame that nearly sparked yet another remarkable come-from-behind victory. According to NBA.com, Edwards’ 39 points in the second half are the most in a single half this season.
Edwards’ Dominant Performance
“Made big shot after big shot,” Wolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “He was inspirational.” The performance came just a week after Edwards scored nine points in the final 5 minutes, 18 seconds in Minneapolis – including the game winner with 16 seconds to play – to down the Spurs at Target Center. Edwards’ ability to perform under pressure is a testament to his skill and dedication to his craft.
Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after hitting a three but not getting a foul called on the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 17, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Unstoppable Force
Saturday was far more spectacular, as Edwards dissected one of the league’s best defenses with near surgical precision. When Victor Wembanyama was on the floor, Edwards repeatedly fired off largely open step-in triples against the Frenchman’s drop pick-and-roll coverage. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Edwards is shooting 71% from the field and 61% from distance in clutch time this season, the best true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentages in the NBA.
Edwards has long been a supreme scorer, but the specific shot skills he’s added over the last two offseasons – combined with a renewed commitment to his finishing around the rim – has rendered the guard relatively unguardable. When Edwards is highly motivated to score, he does so at will. There are 65 cases this year of NBA players scoring 25-plus points in the second half of a game – Edwards is responsible for five of them, which ties him with Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell for the league lead.
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