Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are why the Timberwolves find themselves two wins from their first conference semifinals appearance in almost 20 years. They spent 1,886 minutes together this season, more than all but nine duos in the entire league. This makes sense. Towns and Edwards are already one of the most dynamic and complementary tandems in basketball; Minnesota averaged an impressive 115.7 points per 100 possessions—only the Jazz had a higher offensive rating—when both were on the court.
At their best, Towns and Edwards are brutal and sleek, able to combine technical skill with restless energy. It’s never more evident than when they form what may already be the world’s most auspicious pick-and-roll. On paper, it’s an overwhelming wallop with very few, if any, answers.
Try to guard them two-on-two by dropping the big and Edwards will either rise up for a jump shot or pummel a backpedaling big man. His speed and power are extraordinary. Merged with balance, footwork and touch, there isn’t much that can be done when Edwards sees a path to the basket. Towns has waited his entire career for a copilot exactly like him. “He’s a special, special, special, special, special player. I’m very, very fortunate to play with him,” Towns said. “I’ll even go as far as saying he’s the most talented player I’ve ever played with.”
