Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is quickly emerging as one of the NBA’s brightest young faces—and potentially its future face. At just 23 years old, Edwards vividly remembers being a teenager during the legendary 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Speaking recently, he shared his reaction to Kyrie Irving’s now-iconic Game 7 dagger.
“Kyrie hit a shot… Do you know how many players dream of that situation? In Game 7 of the NBA Finals—that’s all I can think about right now,” Edwards said. “Kyrie was calm about it. If I hit some s**t like that… I might pull my pants down on their a*s.”
Now a top-10 player and centerpiece for Minnesota, Edwards has had his share of big moments. Last season, he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, averaging 25.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Yet even with his rapid rise, he hasn’t delivered a shot as iconic as Irving’s.
While Kyrie was only a few years into his NBA career back in 2016, his fearless performance on the biggest stage helped deliver one of the most legendary playoff moments in league history. Edwards may not have had his Finals moment—yet—but the expectation is that it’s coming. He has the swagger, the skill, and the clutch mentality to one day create his own version of Kyrie’s masterpiece.
Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors
2016 NBA finals: Cavaliers vs Warriors—a legacy cemented
The 2016 NBA Finals are widely regarded as one of the greatest series ever played. The Golden State Warriors, riding the momentum of a historic 73–9 regular season, were the overwhelming favorites. After taking a 3–1 series lead, a second straight title seemed inevitable.
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But LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had other plans. The Cavaliers mounted a stunning comeback, winning three straight games—including two on the road—to force a decisive Game 7 in Oakland. No team had ever rallied from a 3–1 deficit in the NBA Finals, and Cleveland was chasing its first championship in franchise history.
Game 7 was an instant classic. LeBron’s now-legendary chase-down block on Andre Iguodala with under two minutes to play set the stage. But the defining moment came with 53 seconds remaining—Irving’s cold-blooded step-back three over Stephen Curry broke the 89–89 tie and ultimately sealed the championship for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers’ 93–89 win snapped a 52-year title drought for the city and immortalized both James and Irving in NBA lore. LeBron was named Finals MVP, but it was Kyrie’s clutch heroics that symbolized the heart of one of the most improbable and emotional comebacks in sports history.
