Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are set to go head-to-head in a tantalizing Western Conference Finals, with both stars vying for a place in the NBA Finals for the first time
Anthony Edwards must live up to his words and out-duel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Edwards starred for the Timberwolves in their five-game win over the Golden State Warriors, who were without an injured Steph Curry for much of the second-round series. The 23-year-old dropped 36 points in Game 3 and put up 30 in Game 4 to ensure Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals in successive years.
The Timberwolves lost to Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks a year ago before the superstar was sensationally traded to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this season. Now, Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder stands in Edwards’ way as both try to reach the NBA Finals for the first time.
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The next generation of NBA stars is taking over, with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Curry out of the postseason while one of Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson will claim a first championship. Edwards’ Timberwolves eliminated James and Curry, while he took out Durant and Nikola Jokic during the playoff run last season.
For many, Edwards is set to become the face of the NBA. But Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s coming up against his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the series with Minnesota, is expected to win the 2025 MVP award following an incredible season, leading the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the West and an NBA-best record thanks to his 32.7 points per game — his third successive season averaging over 30 points per game — alongside 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
Back in February 2024, before Edwards led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith interviewed the 2020 No. 1 overall pick. Smith said that James mentioned Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander as the stars of the next generation.
Edwards was honored and gave an interesting answer. He said: “I think that’s dope, because I think he’s exactly right. Me and Shai and Luka [Doncic], for sure.”
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When asked how Edwards feels he measures up against Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic, the three-time All-Star said: “I feel like I’m a better player, 100 percent.”
Ahead of their showdown for a place in the NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander – the No. 11 overall pick by the LA Clippers in the 2018 NBA Draft – admitted he was unsurprised by Edwards’ comments. He acknowledged that a confident mentality is what a player needs if they want to be considered among the best in the NBA.
“I expected him to say that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I wouldn’t expect him to say one of us is better than him. The thing about NBA players and especially guys that are that talented, we all believe we’re the best.
“We all believe what we bring to the table is special and unique – and he has every right to think so.”
When asked if he thinks he’s the best, Gilgeous-Alexander added: “Absolutely.”
The Thunder host the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on Tuesday, May 20.
