Anthony Edwards reflected on beating his childhood idol Kevin Durant in the playoffs last season at the Fanatics Fest in New York City.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!During a panel with Jalen Rose and Durant, Edwards was asked what it was like to sweep Durant’s Phoenix Suns in the first round last season.
“I felt bad a little bit, only because he’s my favorite player of all time,” the Minnesota Timberwolves star said. “I didn’t wanna send him home like that.”
This banter between KD and Anthony Edwards is everything ????@Fanatics @FanaticsFest @theantedwards_ @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/tufdzIujyE
— Aliyah Funschelle (@AliyahFun) August 17, 2024
Immediately after Game 4, however, Edwards was quite happy about knocking off the Suns.
Anthony Edwards: “Talking all of that s***, get us out of here man!” #Timberwolves SWEEP the #Suns! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/OPC7MOxXtJ
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) April 29, 2024
Edwards dropped 40 points (31 in the second half), nine rebounds and six assists in the Game 4 victory. He averaged 31.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.0 steals for the Wolves over the four games against the Suns.
Durant gave Edwards his flowers after the sweep.
“I’m so impressed with Ant,” Durant said. “My favorite player to watch, just grown so much since he came into the league … His love for the game shines bright, and that’s one of the reasons why I like him the most because he just loves basketball. He’s grateful to be in this position, he’s taken advantage of every opportunity he’s gotten. Love everything about Ant, everything.
“(I’ll) be watching him going forward. You know he’s gonna go out there and play extremely hard every single night, but I was really impressed with him. (He’s) gonna be somebody I’m following for the rest of his career.”
The two later teamed up for an Olympic gold medal this summer with Team USA and shared plenty of memorable moments. During the Fanatics Fest panel, Edwards said playing with Durant was “dope.”
¡Ant-Man se une a la fiesta????!
????Anthony Edwards encesta el Alley-oop de Kevin Durant y aumenta la ventaja del @TeamUSA ???????? #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/H9uRVu0UgL
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 10, 2024
Kevin Durant x Anthony Edwards getting up shots after today’s Team USA practice
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/QiqTrRIh4z
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) July 19, 2024
Durant and the Suns will have their first crack at Edwards and the Timberwolves on the road in Minnesota on Nov. 17. Their first meeting in Phoenix is on Jan. 29.
Kevin Durant has hilarious reaction to Anthony Edwards dunking on him
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
