"No disrespect" - Anthony Edwards' teammate reflects on Timberwolves star trash-talking Kevin Durant in playoffs
Minnesota Timberwolves star wing Anthony Edwards famously trash-talked his idol, Phoenix Suns superstar forward Kevin Durant, face-to-face during their 2024 first-round NBA playoff matchup. However, according to Edwards' co-star Karl-Anthony Towns, the two-time All-Star meant no disrespect and just got caught up in the heat of the moment.
Despite Minnesota being the Western Conference's third seed, many picked Phoenix to pull off an upset due to its star power and postseason experience. However, Edwards and Co. quickly quieted their doubters in Game 1, securing a 120-95 blowout home victory.
Late in the third quarter of the series-opening contest, Edwards drilled a 3-pointer in Durant's face to extend the Timberwolves' lead to 86-70. Afterward, he began yelling and nodding at the two-time NBA champion as he backpedaled up the court, seemingly taking a shot at Durant's age (35).
Game 1 ultimately set the tone for the series, as Minnesota went on to sweep Phoenix 4-0. Meanwhile, Edwards averaged a series-high 31.0 points per game, outplaying Durant (26.8 ppg).
On Monday's episode of "Podcast P with Paul George," Towns reflected on Edwards trash-talking Durant, attributing it to his competitive spirit.
"When I saw it after and I was seeing it, I was like, 'That's just Ant, though,'" Towns said. "Ultra-competitive, fiery, passionate, loves the game of basketball.
"So, I think what's great is that the fans and everyone recognized that this was no disrespect towards him at all, and this was just Ant having so much emotion from playing the game, [being] so passionate about playing someone like KD, and just being able to express it at a moment where he gets to play him with all the stakes on the line in the NBA playoffs. I think that was a special moment for him," he continued.
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Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant followed their postseason battle by bonding as Team USA teammates during this summer's Paris Olympics. Together, they helped the U.S. capture its fifth consecutive gold medal.
The two also participated in a Fanatics Fest panel on Saturday, where Edwards noted that he "felt bad a little bit" for sweeping his favorite player. So, there doesn't appear to be any lingering hard feelings.
Also Read: Kevin Durant comes up with a special moniker for Anthony Edwards after Olympic bonding: "Baby GOAT"
Paul George says Anthony Edwards regularly trash-talked him and his ex-Clippers co-stars
While Anthony Edwards trash-talking Kevin Durant during the playoffs went viral, according to Paul George, he wasn't surprised.
Later in Monday's podcast, George recounted how Edwards regularly took shots at him and his ex-LA Clippers co-stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden last season.
"To be clear, though, all season long he was calling us old a**. All season long," George said. "... So, that moment was funny that it went viral because of the backside to that. Every time we play y'all, he's telling me, 'You're old as s**t,' he's telling Kawhi, 'You're old as s**t,' he's telling James, 'You're old as s**t.' I'm like, 'Listen, you're gonna get old one day.'"
So, it appears no players are safe from Edwards' trash talk, regardless of their status.
Also Read: Anthony Edwards shares what Team USA was bopping to in the Olympics: "KD only wanna listen to Drake"