Not Stephen Curry, but Anthony Edwards Is LeBron James’ Choice for WC Finals as Timberwolves Tie Series

Forget the scoreboard. Forget the split. The most seismic moment of this series didn’t happen on the court—it happened in a podcast studio. On an episode of Mind the Game, LeBron James didn’t just talk basketball—he handed the Western Conference torch to Anthony Edwards.

There’s a beat, mid-conversation, when Steve Nash goes silent—not out of politeness, but reverence. Because LeBron wasn’t hedging. He was betting. Not on the defending champs. Not on Steph. But on the kid who just sent him home.

“I personally think… I could see them for sure getting into the Western Conference Finals, if not the Finals,” James said of the Timberwolves. “They have the makeup for it. I think so.”

Coming from LeBron, that’s not commentary—it’s coronation. Especially considering it came days after Minnesota eliminated his Lakers in five games. And now, with Stephen Curry sidelined by a strained hamstring that will keep him out at least a week, James didn’t even glance at Golden State. He hitched his faith to the Wolves. And he might be right.

Minnesota’s response in Game 2 wasn’t just about tying the series. It was about legitimacy. After years of talent not translating to trust, of flashes without follow-through, the Timberwolves finally look like a team that knows who it is. And Anthony Edwards—the former No. 1 pick turned playoff wrecking ball—looks less like a rising star and more like a made man.

Apr 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) in the second half during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

“He’s improved so much with his playmaking,” James said. “You’ve seen him make the jump. Just from last year’s playoff run to this one. He was super patient, even when we were getting up in the gaps. I commend him. He grew throughout our series.”

That growth isn’t just about passes or poise. It’s about presence. Edwards didn’t just lead Minnesota past the Lakers—he made them believe. And for LeBron to publicly praise not just Ant, but the entire Wolves blueprint, signals a shift in perception.

“They have shooting, they have toughness, they have size, they have foot speed, they have playmaking ability, and they have defensive versatility,” James said. “And those guys play extremely hard.”

That endorsement landed just as Edwards was gutting through one of the toughest moments of his career. In Game 2, he rolled his ankle on a brutal block attempt by Trayce Jackson-Davis. It looked bad—he couldn’t put weight on it. But less than 20 minutes later, he was back, checking in for the second half and finishing with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. He split doubles, sliced into space, and kept Minnesota’s rhythm intact—all on one leg.

LeBron James knows that language. He’s spoken it for two decades. Grit. Gravity. Greatness. And when he sees it in someone else, he calls it. So when James says Edwards “figured it out,” it’s not about stats. It’s about command. Because even in the middle of a shooting slump—1-for-16 from three over his last two games—Edwards is changing games. With his movement. With his defense. With his will.

The question now is whether Minnesota can rise with him. Whether this team can internalize the identity LeBron just handed them. Because in the playoffs, belief isn’t just a feeling. It’s a weapon. And the Wolves? They’re finally armed.

Edwards is now playing with that spotlight and that pressure—and on one leg. His game is built on explosive stops, violent hang time, and unrelenting isolation sequences. When he rolls his ankle, he doesn’t just risk minutes—he risks identity. And that’s the tension Minnesota now faces: they are built around a player whose superpower is his fearlessness, but whose body is starting to collect warning signs.

Historically, Edwards has returned from injury like a comic book character—March 2023 vs. Chicago, November 2022 in Orlando, the 2023 Play-In stinger. He’s “Wolverine,” Julius Randle says. But even comic books have foreshadowing. If Edwards pushes through every sprain, every tweak, what happens when the damage is permanent? Minnesota fans remember Derrick Rose’s arc too vividly to ignore this subplot.

The Timberwolves’ offense is increasingly shaped around Edwards’ gravity. Finch puts the ball in his hands to break down defenses with ISO attacks and late-clock shot making. When that first step loses a fraction of burst, it’s not just Ant who looks slower—the whole offense clogs. We saw it in Game 2: more Randle pick-and-rolls, more Conley off handoffs. Ant’s presence remains a magnet—but the system tilts. And yet, the defense holds.

Feb 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after being ejected during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

That might be Minnesota’s saving grace. With Gobert anchoring the paint, McDaniels flashing elite help instincts, and Ant setting the tone with perimeter intensity, the Wolves are becoming something few expected: a defense-first juggernaut. They blitz, rotate, and rebound like they’ve seen the mountain and believe they belong there.

LeBron noticed that too. He didn’t just see Edwards’ poise—he saw Minnesota’s maturity. “They have defensive versatility—which you need in the playoffs,” he said. For a franchise that’s lived through the KG trade, the Jimmy Butler implosion, and years of KAT inconsistency, that matters.

And with Curry injured—Grade 1 hamstring strain, out at least a week—the West has opened just a crack. The Warriors are 9-3 in playoff games without Steph since 2013, but they looked rudderless in Game 2. If there was ever a time for a new torchbearer to step through, it’s now.

So the question isn’t whether LeBron was right. It’s whether Minnesota is ready to prove him right without breaking their best player in the process. Because the crown may be a gift—but it’s also a weight. And the Minnesota Timberwolves? They’re learning to carry it.

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