Anthony Edwards was crouched near the scorer’s table while the Minnesota Timberwolves were ready for the first tip of Monday night’s 119-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the target center.
Instead of being absent from the start of the game, as he usually is, Edwards was waiting to check on the game and Nickeil Alexander-Walker replaced him in the starting lineup. Turns out it was completely accidental.
“I lost track of time,” Edwards said plainly after the victory, .
While this happens at the AAU level, or even occasionally at the college level, it’s a rare sight in the NBA.
However, Edwards entered the game about 30 seconds later and everything was normal. He finished with 13 points and six assists in 35 minutes while shooting 4 of 10 from the field. He briefly left the game in the third quarter with a right elbow injury, but was back on the field for the start of the fourth quarter.
Edwards averaged a career-high 26.1 points and 5.2 rebounds this season, his fourth in the league. The 22-year-old earned his second straight All-Star nomination this year, and he was instrumental in leading the Timberwolves to a 43-19 record — which, as of Tuesday afternoon, was barely enough to first place in the Western. Conference standings.
Rudy Gobert led the Timberwolves in Monday night’s win with 25 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 9 of 10 from the field. Mike Conley added 19 points and seven assists, and Cities of Karl-Anthony finished with 14 points.
Anfernée Simons led Portland with 34 points and 14 assists. Duop Reath added 26 points, and Dalano Banton finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Trail Blazers have lost 10 of their last 12 games and only hold a record of 17-43.
The Timberwolves are back in action Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacerswhere Edwards will have the chance to put his time management skills to good use at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
