MIN 117, MEM 110: Edwards Catches Fire: 7 Three-Pointers
Hiro Tanaka
Physical Therapy Assistant ยท Los Angeles Lakers fan
Anthony Edwards Goes Full Superstar Mode, Timberwolves Escape Memphis 117-110
Anthony Edwards didn't just have a good night. He had the kind of night that reminds you why he's All-NBA. The dude went absolutely nuclear for 41 points on 15-29 shooting with 7 threes and 5 steals in 37 minutes. That's 67.2 Yahoo FP, which crushes his 29.7 PPG season average by 11.3 points. This wasn't a volume explosion either, it was efficiency. He was just different tonight.
| Player | ESPN FP | Yahoo FP | Tonight | Season Avg | +/- Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | 79.0 | 67.2 | 41/6/2 | 29.7/5.2/3.7 | +11.3 |
| Julius Randle | 28.0 | 37.2 | 23/11/4 | 21.5/6.9/5.3 | +1.5 |
| Jaden McDaniels | 31.0 | 27.9 | 16/7/1 | 15.2/4.4/2.8 | +0.8 |
| Rayan Rupert | 31.0 | 27.7 | 13/6/1 | 3.6/2.2/0.8 | +9.4 |
| Walter Clayton Jr. | 31.0 | 27.7 | 9/1/9 | 7.1/2.0/3.7 | +1.9 |
| GG Jackson | 26.0 | 27.2 | 12/11/0 | 10.5/4.2/1.4 | +1.5 |
| Ty Jerome | 21.0 | 23.8 | 14/4/2 | 19.0/2.9/5.2 | -5.0 |
| Cedric Coward | 25.0 | 22.9 | 15/2/1 | 13.3/6.1/2.9 | +1.7 |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 25.0 | 22.8 | 7/4/6 | 12.9/4.4/4.3 | -5.9 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | 24.0 | 22.6 | 14/3/4 | 14.4/2.9/3.5 | -0.4 |
Julius Randle was the other win here for Minnesota. The dude locked in with 23 points and 11 boards on 7-15 shooting with perfect free throw shooting (9-12). That's 37.2 Yahoo FP, and while he hit his scoring average, that rebound total sits +4.1 above his season norm. The Grizzlies couldn't contain him on the glass, and that's the kind of night that wins close games.
Jaden McDaniels chipped in 16/7/1 on 6-8 shooting in 32 minutes. Not flashy, but solid efficiency with a +2.6 rebound bump over his season average. That's the blue-collar stuff that matters in a 7-point win.
The Memphis Bench Went Off
Here's the wild part: Memphis lost, but their depth guys absolutely showed up. Rayan Rupert went for 13/6/1 in just 25 minutes, crushing his 3.6 PPG season average by 9.4 points. Walter Clayton Jr. dropped 9/1/9 with elite free throw shooting (4-4), and that 9-assist night is +5.3 above his season average. GG Jackson added 12/11/0 on 4-5 shooting in a limited 22 minutes. These aren't your typical fantasy MVPs, but they all had legitimate performances.
The problem? They couldn't overcome Edwards going supernova. Ty Jerome shot it poorly (4-13) and finished -5.0 PPG from his average despite 14 points. Cedric Coward popped off for 15 points but that still only got them so close.
The Real Story: Minnesota's Role Players Showed Up
Ayo Dosunmu flew under the radar with 14/3/4 on 5-9 shooting. He was within his season averages but provided essential bench stability when they needed it. Donte DiVincenzo was the only real miss for Minnesota, going 3-7 and finishing -5.9 PPG below his average. In a 7-point game, that's worth noting if you're a DiVincenzo owner.
Rudy Gobert pulled down 12 boards but only shot 1-2 for 5 points. That's vintage Gobert, honestly, the efficiency takes a hit but the rebound work keeps him relevant in deeper leagues.
What This Means
If you own Edwards, keep him locked. If he's available somehow, he's a no-brainer. He's playing at an MVP level right now.
The interesting wrinkle is Memphis's bench. Rupert's 25 minutes and the work Jackson got suggest the Grizzlies might be running more lineup combinations when healthy. That could be good for league depth adds if guys are getting consistent run, so keep an eye on the next few games.
For Minnesota, Edwards is your franchise guy and Randle keeps proving he belongs in your core. Nothing changes there.