In the high-stakes atmosphere of the NBA playoffs, moments can shift the tide of a game in the blink of an eye, and Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards experienced a vivid example of this during Saturday’s gritty 102-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors. It was a game where Edwards initially kept a low profile, struggling to find his rhythm with a modest eight points by halftime, leaving the Timberwolves trailing by two points as they headed to the locker room.
But as they say, sometimes it takes a spark to ignite a fire—and that spark came in the form of a jaw-dropping dunk from Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. With just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Kuminga made a powerful drive to the basket, soaring high above the rim to deliver an emphatic slam directly over Edwards, who was contesting the shot. The dunk came with an exuberant war cry from Kuminga, and in that electrifying moment, the dynamic of the game began to shift.
After the game, Edwards reflected on that specific play, admitting that it was Kuminga’s dunk that ignited his performance in the second half. “When Kuminga dunked on me, that got me going,” he stated, emphasizing how it fueled his determination to retaliate on the court.
And retaliate he did. Just moments later, Edwards showcased his own explosive athleticism, slicing into the lane and rising up to deliver a thunderous dunk over Warriors big man Kevon Looney. The arena erupted as Edwards let out a roar of triumph, sending a clear message that he was not going to be intimidated.
But he didn’t stop there. He capped off the quarter with a smooth three-pointer just 33.1 seconds before the buzzer, bringing his game alive and propelling the Timberwolves forward. Edwards tallied a remarkable 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, playing a pivotal role in securing the victory and giving his team a 2-1 series lead.
This playoff encounter was a prime example of how quickly momentum can shift—one electrifying dunk can not only change a player’s mindset but also set the stage for a riveting comeback. As the Timberwolves look ahead, they’ll hope for more of that indomitable spirit that Edwards displayed after finding his groove ignited by a moment of adversity. If this is the level of intensity he brings moving forward, the Timberwolves are certainly a team to watch in the playoffs.
