Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards praised for unique trait that many believe he shares with LeBron James

Even with their backs against the wall in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to prove they are a serious contender in the NBA. A key factor behind it is Anthony Edwards who delivered an outstanding performance in Game 2. He rose to the occasion despite reports of playing through an injury. For that reason, an NBA executive praised an unexpected trait on Edwards.

“It is a tweaked right ankle strain but not enough for him to have an actual designation on the injury report. He’s going to continue to play on it, I’m told he felt really good this morning…One team executive today told me it reminds him a lot of LeBron James in the way both guys can have these ugly injuries…and then 15 minutes later they’re able to bounce right back,” stated Shams Charania.

For many fans, this comparison may feel too early. After all, Anthony Edwards is only 23 years old. That is nearly the same number of years LeBron James has played in the NBA. So, Edwards still has a long road ahead to prove he can maintain elite form. Consistency, after all, has defined LeBron’s legendary career from the start.

One thing is clear: Edwards possesses a rare athletic build that naturally invites comparisons to LeBron. While the two are not identical in style or impact, Edwards has separated himself from his peers with a body built for high-level competition. This is something especially valuable in what many consider one of the most physically demanding eras in league history.

In Game 2 against the Thunder, Edwards showed that toughness. He played 40 minutes, racking up 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. He was the Timberwolves’ top performer and the second-best player on the court, trailing only 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And he did it all while reportedly battling a nagging right ankle strain, leading Minnesota in total minutes played.

Despite playing through an injury, Anthony delivered an outstanding performance and earned a spot on an elite list. He became the sixth player in NBA history to score 1,000 playoff points before turning 24. That achievement puts him alongside Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum. Because of this, many experts believe he is on the right path. His numbers already match those of proven stars, which shows he is ready for the challenge.