Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, once and for all, put the pre-draft 'not loving basketball' narratives to rest

And on Monday night, Edwards' actions ended any final misgivings about his desire to be on a basketball court.

Because he was just nine days removed from a left knee injury that looked terrible to everyone who saw it.

The ligaments were intact, somehow -- after all, this is the quick healing, Wolverine-like Edwards.

But it was supposed to be a multi-week injury, 14 days minimum, Game 4 of the Spurs series at the earliest for a return.

Monday night was Game 1, and Edwards played. He came off the bench, a bit of a minutes limit, and a slow start.

When the fourth quarter arrived, though, so did Edwards. Two quick 3-pointers, 11 points total, a big block.

Was he 100%? No chance. Was he going to miss this game? No chance.

In his postgame article, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski made the comparisons to Michael Jordan -- who played through all sorts of pain -- and Kobe Bryant -- who wouldn't leave the court with a torn Achilles until he made his free throws.

Edwards' talent has always been viewed as at least approaching that level, but before he really got the chance to prove himself, doubters wondered if he had even remotely the same drive.

Turns out, that's exactly what Edwards has. He has the innate desire it takes to push up to your limits, and then leap beyond them.

Maybe when Edwards was a kid, that got him into the end zone.

On Monday night, though, it got Edwards back on the basketball court faster than anyone thought he could, and it got the Timberwolves a win.

They probably didn't even realize when they drafted Edwards that he had this inside him. But they sure are glad they did, and that he does.

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