It was an achievement that went largely unnoticed. In 2024 and 2025, Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals. They became the first team to achieve that feat twice in a row since the almost unbeatable Warriors. But the fact remains that they lost both series.
In the NBA, people often talk about a window of opportunity to win the title. Has that window already closed? The Thunder are still in the mix, as are the Nuggets, while the emergence of the Spurs makes the task even more difficult.
And that is without mentioning all the outsiders. The Wolves have already taken huge risks and sacrificed numerous draft picks to build a competitive team around their franchise player.
They continued along that path this summer by bringing in LaMelo Ball from the Hornets. Minnesota may now have the best backcourt in the NBA. But that is another story. Edwards remains a top player, the kind of talent capable of changing everything in a game, a playoff series or a season. Now is the time to prove it in three letters.
Superstars are only truly legitimate when they win. Even more so when they win against fierce competition. The West is packed with talented franchises and clear MVP contenders.
'Ant-Man' will therefore have to overcome them one by one. He has a high-quality team behind him, and the time has come to become the best. Simple as that.
Stats 2025/26: 28.8 points on 18.9% shooting, including 39.9% from three, 5 rebounds, 1.4 steals (61 games)
Reasonable target for 2026/27: 30 points, MVP contender
