The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their 2024-2025 season in style, securing a 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on NBA Opening Night. This win marked their first Opening Night victory in six years, fueled by a dominant performance from Anthony Davis and an exciting piece of NBA history.
Davis posted a monstrous stat line, finishing with 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. This was his 15th game as a Laker with 35+ points and 15+ rebounds, tying him with Wilt Chamberlain for the fourth-most in team history. The Lakers have won 13 of those 15 games when Davis has put up such numbers.
The Lakers trailed early in the second quarter after Julius Randle hit a three-pointer to give Minnesota a 26-24 lead. However, a 21-3 run by the Lakers in just five minutes turned the game around, giving them control for the rest of the contest.
In his 22nd season, LeBron James amade NBA history by playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in an official game. The father-son duo shared a memorable moment, capping off the night with a handshake as the Lakers sealed the win. LeBron finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Despite the loss, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points and five three-pointers. New additions Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 26 points in their debuts, while Rudy Gobert contributed a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
First-year head coach JJ Redick earned his first career win and celebrated with a water bottle shower from his players in the locker room.
After a disappointing Game 4 loss at home, Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving took full responsibility for failing to secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
They left no doubt in Game 5 on the road, leading the Mavs to a decisive 124-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win clinched the Mavericks’ third Finals appearance in franchise history and the first since their 2011 championship.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for an impressive 72 points, with Doncic scoring 36 and Irving matching his total. Doncic’s performance earned him the Magic Johnson Trophy as the Western Conference Finals MVP. He began the game by outscoring the Timberwolves single-handedly in the first quarter, 20-19, and finished the series with averages of 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Doncic became the fifth player in the last 60 years to lead his team in total points, rebounds, and assists heading into the Finals, joining the ranks of LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Mavs coach Jason Kidd.
“I don’t take this moment for granted at all. It took me 7 long years,” Irving said.
Irving, who scored just 16 points in Game 4, bounced back with a career-high 36 points in a series-clinching game. His performance ensured the Mavericks’ victory and set up a Finals showdown with the Boston Celtics.
Despite strong efforts from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each scored 28 points, the Timberwolves could not extend their season. Their return to the Western Conference Finals after 20 years ended in disappointment.
Doncic and Irving’s 35+ points each marked the first time teammates have achieved this feat in a Conference Finals game since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 2001. The Mavericks now look forward to their Finals matchup, aiming to capture their second NBA championship.
As the Minnesota Timberwolves fight for their championship aspirations tonight (May 30), a Minneapolis legend aura presides over the franchise. The one and only Prince’s DNA is etched into the fabric of the state, and his iconic single, “When Doves Cry,” will serve as the battle song for the Timberwolves faithful.
“He would’ve loved to be sitting front row so he could rep his city,” Londell McMillan, Prince’s longtime friend and former attorney told ESPN. “He would’ve loved Anthony Edwards and the chemistry, and Jaden McDaniels, because he likes tough play. He was a tough guy. The balance of the team, he would’ve saw them as a band that’s well-refined.
“The one thing he might’ve said is that he liked the white shirts, but he would’ve been like, where’s the purple?”
McMillan is referring to the white tees worn by the fans in unison to support the team as they battle Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Purple One’s energy vibrates across the area, including a mural of the late superstar donning a parking building’s wall, hovering over the First Avenue nightclub from Purple Rain lore.
According to ESPN, “When Doves Cry” has been the Wolves’ go-to song since 2012. They use “Let’s Go Crazy” to rile up the crowd in the fourth quarter and “Controversy” when a ref flubs a call.
Numerous celebrities graced the Target Center sidelines, but Prince was a mainstay and brought a different level of excitement. An avid basketball fan, beyond what was comedically portrayed in Chappelle’s Show, Prince would hone in on the Timberwolves’ offense, echoed by former player and coach Sam Cassell and point guard Troy Hudson.
Prince’s history also includes playing basketball at Bryant Junior High School, Junior Varsity basketball at Central High School in St. Paul, and pickup games.
Even though Dave Chappelle’s iconic Comedy Central program Chappelle’s Show has been off the air for over a decade, it remains celebrated as one of the greatest comedic shows in television history, with fans still frequently referencing its sketches. One of the most famous segments was “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories,” where comedian Charlie Murphy recounted an unforgettable story about the late music legend Prince. Murphy revealed that Prince was a phenomenal musician and an impressive basketball player who outplayed Murphy and his friends in a game while dressed in high heels and club attire.
Micki Free of Shalamar also participated in the game. In a recent interview with VladTV, he confirmed Charlie Murphy’s story, affirming that it is 100% true. Sharing the tale from his perspective, Free expressed his amazement at Prince’s basketball skills, echoing the surprise and admiration felt by everyone else who witnessed it.
There is currently a rise in women’s basketball popularity behind the star power of players like A’Ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark. But Prince was a fan of the Minnesota Lynx before it became trendy, celebrating their 2015 championship at Paisley Park.
Today, celebrations at Paisley Park continue. The annual gathering of Prince fans, known as Celebration, is returning to Paisley Park and various venues throughout Minneapolis from June 20-24, 2024. This year’s event coincides with the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain and will feature themed programming throughout the weekend.
In partnership with First Avenue, Paisley Park will present The Revolution—Wendy, Lisa, Bobby Z, Brownmark, and Dr. Fink—performing in honor of the Purple Rain milestone. These historic concerts will occur at the legendary First Avenue on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22. Morris Day, New Power Generation, and many more artists will perform during the festivities.
“We are excited to have the Revolution return to Minneapolis to celebrate Prince and the 40th Anniversary of Purple Rain! Along with Morris Day, we will celebrate Prince and his iconic history! Join us and Let’s Go Crazy!,” said Bobby Z, Drummer of The Revolution.
McMillan added, “We continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of the greatest works ever created, Purple Rain, 40 years later. Celebration 2024 marks the beginning of a year-long series of events honoring Prince and his magnum opus.”
The weekend will be packed with activities, including an all-day block party in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, June 22. Fans can also look forward to conversations and themed panels, DJ dance parties, screenings of HD films from the Purple Rain era, and additional surprises. Continuing Prince’s legacy of nurturing new talent, the event will feature New Artist Showcases spotlighting emerging artists.
VIP ticket holders will enjoy special experiences such as a VIP boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka, exclusive tours of new exhibits, VIP lounge access, and more.
On the night he received the Michael Jordan Trophy for his third MVP in four years, Nikola Jokic delivered an unprecedented performance in NBA Playoffs history. Jokic recorded 40 points, 13 assists, and 0 turnovers, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 112-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 3-2 series lead.
Jokic was particularly dominant in the third quarter, scoring 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting as the Nuggets outscored the Wolves 38-30, building a double-digit lead they never relinquished. His 13 assists were distributed to six different teammates: Christian Braun and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led with three apiece; Aaron Gordon, Reggie Jackson, and Jamal Murray each received two; and Michael Porter Jr. had one.
Aaron Gordon followed up his impressive Game 4 performance (27 points on 11-of-12 shooting) with an 18-point, 10-rebound, and five-assist effort in Game 5. Murray and Caldwell-Pope contributed 16 points each.
The Nuggets have now won three consecutive games after dropping the first two at home, moving within one win of a return trip to the Western Conference Finals.
The Timberwolves, who received a combined 41 points from Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 6 rebounds) and Anthony Edwards (18 points, 9 assists), experienced their first three-game losing streak of the season.
The series now shifts back to Minnesota for Game 6, where the Nuggets will aim to close out the series and advance to the next round.
Anthony Edwards scored a career-high 51 points in a stunning comeback, along with seven assists, six rebounds, and six three-pointers, guiding the Minnesota Timberwolves to a remarkable 130-121 win over the Washington Wizards. Despite trailing by 21 points, the Wolves rallied to secure the victory, maintaining their hold on the No. 1 seed in the West.
The triumph comes despite Karl-Anthony Towns’s absence. Towns was sidelined for the past month following knee surgery. However, there’s good news for the Wolves, as Minnesota announced Tuesday that Towns has been cleared for full activity and is on track for a return. With Towns’ imminent comeback and Edwards’ stellar performance, the Wolves are poised to strengthen their position in the Western Conference standings.
Karl Anthony Towns dropped 62 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday Night (Jan. 22). In the postgame press conference, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch didn’t care about the 62 points, pointing out an “absolutely disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball.”
According to ESPN, Finch believes the Wolves stopped making the right play to feed the ball to Towns, who had a great start. Towns finished 21-for-35 from the floor and 10-for-15 from three but went cold in the fourth quarter with a 2-for-10 showing that landed him on the bench.
“I mean there’s lots of times when, just because you’ve scored two or three or four points in a row, or baskets in a row … you know obviously we’re going to try to feed a hot hand, look for a hot hand, but at some point we got to get back to making the right play, we got to get back to doing the right things,” Finch said.
Towns added, “Having a night like that on a loss doesn’t feel very good or historic.”
You can see KAT’s performance below. Up next for the Timberwolves is a road game against the Washington Wizards.
In the world of professional basketball, rising stars often capture the attention of fans, analysts, and sponsors alike. One such prodigy who has made significant waves in the NBA is Anthony Edwards. As of 2023, Anthony Edwards’ net worth is estimated to be around $14 million, according to Sportskeeda. But how did he amass such wealth in a relatively short span? Let’s delve into his journey.
Anthony Edwards, affectionately known as “Ant-Man”, was born on 5th August 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. The nickname “Ant-Man” was given to him by his father when he was just three years old. Before his passion for basketball ignited, Edwards was a youth football player for the Atlanta Vikings and was even named one of the top running backs in the country at the tender age of 10. However, it was the allure of basketball, inspired by watching his brother play, that eventually drew him to the court.
During his high school years at Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta, Edwards showcased his prowess by averaging 29 points and 9 rebounds a game in his senior year. His college debut for the Georgia Bulldogs further solidified his reputation, where he scored an impressive 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. This performance marked the highest scoring output for a Georgia freshman debut.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 21: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball over Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on January 21, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 113-104. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Edwards’ talent didn’t go unnoticed. In the 2020 NBA draft, he was the coveted first-overall pick, selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His debut season was nothing short of spectacular, with Edwards playing 72 games and starting in 55 of those. His contributions to the team earned him various accolades, including being a runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting and making it to the NBA All Rookie first team. Notably, he also became the third youngest player in NBA history to score over 40 points.
In his subsequent year, Edwards continued to shine, averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His efforts were instrumental in leading the Timberwolves to the playoffs, a feat they hadn’t achieved in the previous four years.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 23: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with Mike Conley #10 during overtime against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on April 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
A significant portion of Edwards’ net worth comes from his professional basketball career. Over the life of his rookie contract, he is set to receive $44 million, averaging $11 million per year. His salary for the 2023/24 season alone stands at $13,534,817, marking a 26.09% increase from the previous year.
Endorsements also play a crucial role in boosting his net worth. Edwards secured his first and only endorsement deal with Adidas in 2020, joining the ranks of NBA stars like Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Derrick Rose who also have deals with the brand.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 30: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to teammate Rudy Gobert drawing a foul against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Target Center on January 30, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Kings defeated the Timberwolves 118-111 in overtime. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
While there isn’t extensive data available regarding Edwards’ investments, we do know a bit about his lifestyle choices. For instance, he owns a Lamborghini Urus, a luxury SUV with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine boasting 657 horsepower. The car’s interior is customized in blue, and its value is estimated to be over $250,000.
Currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Edwards is yet to invest in a house. However, given his rising stature in the NBA and increasing net worth, it’s only a matter of time before he makes significant investments in real estate and other ventures.
Anthony Edwards, at just 21, has already carved a niche for himself in the NBA. With his exceptional talent, dedication, and the right choices off the court, his net worth is bound to see an upward trajectory in the coming years. As fans and analysts keenly watch his basketball journey, the financial world will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his growing wealth.
Anthony Edwards has the full belief of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has signed a five-year rookie designated maximum contract extension at a total of $260 million. Edwards’ agents Bill Duffy and Joe Branch of WME Sports confirmed the deal.
Last season, Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in his third NBA season. Team president of basketball operations Tim Connelly plans to build the franchise around Edwards.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Edwards is the only player with 1,5000 points and 100 steals in each of the past two seasons.
Edwards joins Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, and Desmond Bane as draft class members to get the max contract.
Anthony Edwards is the latest 2020 NBA Draft pick to sign a large extension. Last week it was reported that LaMelo Ball was signing a five-year extension with the Charlotte Hornets. Now, the number one pick of that draft will be doing the same. Edwards has reportedly signed a five-year deal worth $207 million to keep his talents in Minnesota. The franchise has long believed that Edwards is the key piece to building a potential competitor. The contract extension is just another step in the trust of Edwards and the franchise.
However, the number on the contract might raise a few eyebrows. As Edwards and Ball have shared a friendly rivalry since their draft night. The Minnesota star was very vocal when losing out on the Rookie of the Year Award to Ball a few seasons ago. Now it seems he will also be looking at a smaller extension than Ball. The Hornets guard landed a $260 million deal, whereas Edwards’ is just slightly smaller. While it may not seem like much to those of us that will never see $200 million. Rest assured, players do not forget things like this.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 23: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after defeating the Denver Nuggets 114-108 in overtime at Target Center on April 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Timberwolves have the pieces to find success. Edwards is paired with another number-one overall pick in Karl-Anthony Towns. However, the team has yet to find any post-season success. Now with Edwards making a higher salary, the pressure is on for this duo to perform together. With rumors that the franchise could be interested in Damian Lillard, this latest contract means Edwards will be staying put. But what could that mean for Towns? Would the Timberwolves be willing to part ways with a former top overall pick?
The Timberwolves are ready to move forward with Edwards at the helm of the ship. However, it feels the team is far from finishing off their roster for next season. The team has holes with Towns’ future in the air and Taurean Prince leaving. However, one of those holes will not be the future of Anthony Edwards. Who do you believe will have the better career between Edwards and Ball? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.
Jimmy Butler has never been one to hide his feelings. The Miami Heat star has been having a brilliant playoff run this season. However, “Playoff Jimmy” wasn’t always in the right environment. Once upon a time, Butler was tasked with bringing together a young unit with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Butler’s time with Minnesota was less than memorable. But the stories involving the Heat guard and some of his former teammates have now become legendary.
One of the more memorable stories involved Butler finally having enough of his young teammates. The legend told was that Butler took the bench and defeated the rest of the Minnesota starters like a drum. Recently, Jeff Teague sat down to re-live the moment that fans would have paid to see. Teague remembers Butler’s disdain toward the franchise for not believing in him by not paying him the big contract. However, Teague recalls the entire situation being over the top.
Jimmy Butler Owns Timberwolves Starters
Jeff Teague tells the story of the Timberwolves practice when Jimmy Butler and the third-stringers beat the starters pic.twitter.com/CcgSYNhrJK
According to Teague, he remembers the moment being more funny than most. The former Timberwolves guard recalls laughing at Butler’s behavior during the practice. However, it got to a point where Teague and the rest of the starters were ready for their rematch. But Butler was done after making his statement. That is when Teague claims to remember seeing Butler’s interview on TV in the locker room after that practice. The rest is history between Butler and the Timberwolves.
Now it seems that Butler has found his home in Miami. The star forward has been a part of a few great playoff runs with the Heat already. Including a 2020 run to the NBA Finals. However, now Miami has another chance to create history. As the team has already taken down the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat will meet the New York Knicks for the chance at an Eastern Conference Finals bid. Can Jimmy Butler keep up his outstanding performances for Miami? Let us know what you think of Butler’s chances at winning a championship in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.
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