Anthony Edwards had a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic realization after 2025 WCF loss, says NBA insider

The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, were eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, this time losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a five-game series where they were thoroughly outplayed.

Following the defeat, Edwards acknowledged that he still needs to elevate his game to reach the level of rivals like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić, both of whom have eliminated him in the past two seasons. NBA insider Jon Krawczynski reported that Edwards has dedicated his offseason to intensive training, avoiding social media and international play to focus solely on improvement.

Edwards has also made significant strides in his leadership role, with reports indicating he has become a more vocal leader for the team. Head coach Chris Finch and insiders have praised his growth in this area, especially after the Timberwolves' back-to-back disappointing exits from the Conference Finals.

Despite already surpassing Kevin Garnett’s postseason legacy with the franchise, Edwards remains determined to lead the Timberwolves to an NBA championship. There are reports he is refining specific skills, including one compared to Michael Jordan, raising expectations for a potential MVP-level performance in the upcoming season.