A spectacular dunk by Anthony Edwards during a recent game against the Toronto Raptors sparked an enthusiastic reaction from his teammate Terrence Shannon Jr., who compared the moment to the explosive style of former MVP Derrick Rose during his historic 2010-11 season with the Chicago Bulls.
Edwards elevated over Toronto forward RJ Barrett for a highlight dunk that immediately caught the attention of the Minnesota Timberwolves bench. For Shannon, who grew up in Chicago watching Rose dominate the league more than a decade ago, the play triggered a vivid memory.
“Oh my gosh! Man, it’s like, when I saw it, it happened so fast,” Shannon said afterward. “I’m from Chicago so it reminded me of watching Derrick Rose on his MVP year. He was just going and he took off, it was over. To see that in person, you can’t take your eyes off of him or you’re going to miss it.”
‘Ant’ elevates his all-around game
The comparison highlights how Edwards‘ athleticism and attacking style have begun to draw parallels with some of the league’s most electrifying guards. Rose‘s 2010-11 campaign remains one of the most memorable seasons by a point guard in NBA history, as he became the youngest player ever to win the MVP award while leading Chicago to the top record in the Eastern Conference.
Edwards, now in his sixth season, is building his own case as one of the league’s premier scorers and most dynamic players. The All-Star guard is averaging a career-high 29.7 points per game, ranking third in the league, while also posting personal bests in several efficiency metrics. He is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three-point range, numbers that reflect the evolution of his offensive game.
His production has been especially important for Minnesota during a turbulent stretch of the season. In mid-January, the Timberwolves appeared to lose momentum after a promising run. Following a 6-1 stretch that included wins over teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, Minnesota dropped five consecutive games, their longest losing streak since 2022.
A turning point after a frustrating loss
Even during that downturn, Edwards continued to deliver standout performances. He scored a career-high 55 points in a narrow loss to San Antonio, while teammate Julius Randle also produced multiple 30-point outings. Still, the Timberwolves struggled to close out games, suffering disappointing defeats to non-playoff teams such as the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls.
The turning point came after a frustrating loss to the Golden State Warriors in which Minnesota managed just 85 points, their lowest total of the season. Since then, the team has rediscovered its rhythm. Over their last 15 games, the Timberwolves have posted an 11-4 record, one of the best stretches in the league during that span. The run includes wins over contenders such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and victories against Toronto and Golden State, along with a statement win in Denver that snapped a season-long struggle against the Denver Nuggets.
The resurgence has pushed Minnesota into fourth place in the Western Conference standings and reinforced the belief that the team remains a serious postseason contender. The core group that helped the Timberwolves reach back-to-back Western Conference Finals is still largely intact, with Edwards joined by players such as Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, while offseason additions like Donte DiVincenzo and Randle have strengthened the rotation.
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