S³ | SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS
NBA GAME CENTER | POSTGAME ANALYSIS
October 21, 2026 | Sweet Science Sports
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made their opening statement, and Anthony Edwards delivered it loud and clear.
Edwards erupted for 45 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota dismantled the Miami Heat, 131–106, behind an explosive perimeter performance that Miami simply couldn't match.
Ant-Man had already scored 21 points by halftime. Instead of cooling off, he returned for another 24, finishing 16-of-29 from the floor and an incredible 9-of-17 from three-point range.
Nine three-pointers. Forty-five points. And he did it in just 33 minutes.
For a Minnesota team looking to challenge Oklahoma City for Western Conference supremacy, this was exactly the kind of performance that should get everyone's attention.
Miami Had No Answer for Ant-Man
Edwards controlled this game with his scoring versatility.
His 45 points weren't the product of simply putting up a ridiculous number of shots. He shot 55.2% from the field and 52.9% from beyond the arc.
Miami couldn't afford to give him space on the perimeter, and Minnesota had enough offensive production around him to keep the Heat from concentrating exclusively on stopping him.
LaMelo Ball contributed 21 points and six assists, while Jaden McDaniels added 17 points and eight rebounds.
Off the bench, Ayo Dosunmu scored 16 points, giving Minnesota four players in double figures before even accounting for Jonathan Kuminga's 12.
This wasn't a one-man offense. Edwards was the superstar, but the supporting cast made Miami pay.
The Three-Point Line Decided Everything
Look at the final shooting numbers.
| Category | Minnesota | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 46–98 | 39–81 |
| FG% | 47% | 48% |
| Three-Pointers | 21–50 | 8–33 |
| 3PT% | 42% | 24% |
| Rebounds | 52 | 34 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 17 | 4 |
| Assists | 20 | 27 |
Miami actually finished with a slightly higher overall field-goal percentage.
It didn't matter.
Minnesota outscored Miami by 39 points from beyond the arc. Edwards alone made more three-pointers than the entire Heat roster.
The Timberwolves also dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 52–34, including an overwhelming 17–4 advantage on offensive rebounds.
Rudy Gobert scored only five points, but his 15 rebounds helped Minnesota control the interior.
Miami had advantages in points in the paint (54–38) and fast-break scoring (18–5), yet neither was enough to overcome Minnesota's perimeter attack and extra possessions.
That's a difficult combination to beat.
Minnesota Has the Pieces to Challenge Oklahoma City
I've maintained that Minnesota has the personnel to challenge the Thunder, and this performance only strengthens that argument.
Edwards is capable of taking over a game offensively. Ball provides another scoring and playmaking option, while McDaniels, Gobert, Kuminga and Minnesota's bench give the Timberwolves different ways to compete.
The important distinction is that Minnesota doesn't have to depend exclusively on Edwards scoring 40-plus points every night.
When the supporting cast produces, opponents have to make difficult defensive decisions.
That doesn't mean Minnesota has caught Oklahoma City. The Thunder remain a formidable opponent, particularly because of their offensive movement, execution and overall structure.
But Minnesota has the talent, size, backcourt production and depth to make that potential matchup extremely interesting.
S³ Final Word
Anthony Edwards didn't just deliver one of those performances that fills up a box score. He set the tone for what Minnesota wants to become this season.
A 45-point, 10-rebound performance is impressive enough. Doing it while hitting nine three-pointers and leading your team to a 25-point victory makes it even more significant.
It's one game, and Minnesota still has plenty to prove.
But if Ant-Man continues playing at this level while the rest of the roster contributes, the Western Conference championship conversation might become a lot more interesting.
S³ TAKE: Minnesota isn't interested in watching Oklahoma City run through the West. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves intend to have something to say about it.
Sweet Science Sports | Performance Over Potential. Production Over Reputation.
