The start of the fourth quarter had many Minnesota Timberwolves fans on edge as they faced an eight-point deficit, 94-86, with 8:51 to go in Game 4. With the San Antonio Spurs already ahead 2-1 in the series, the Timberwolves couldn’t afford to drop both games at home and return to Texas facing a 3-1 deficit​

However, for a moment, things were trending in that direction as the Spurs leaned on the brilliance of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper to keep them in front. What San Antonio didn’t know was the special significance this day had for Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.

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With Sunday being Mother’s Day, Edwards said there was no way he was losing the game he dedicated to his mom, Yvette, who passed away from cancer in 2015.

Edwards refused to lose

Edwards’ mom, Yvette, and his grandmother, Shirley, played key roles in his NBA journey. And even though they weren’t able to see him get selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, he made sure they were with him when that moment came, sitting beside their portraits on draft day.

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So, in Game 4, with the day holding a lot of meaning for Edwards, he went all-out, scoring 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter. He went 6-for-8 during that stretch, highlighted by a booming 3-pointer from the right wing that put the Timberwolves in front, 98-97.

“Today is Mother’s Day, and I just wanted to win for my mom. It was that simple,” Edwards explained, when asked what the game meant to him.

“I couldn’t lose this game for her,” he emphasized.

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Related: “If you take him somewhere else, what do you ask him to do?” – Shannon Sharpe doubts NBA teams would want to trade for Draymond Green

Ant has come a long way

Now playing in his sixth season, Edwards has become one of the NBA’s brightest stars. More than the thunderous slam dunks and clutch shots that make up his highlight reels, he has consistently worked on his game during the offseason and raised his level of play with each passing season.

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He revealed that much credit goes to the people who surround him every day for never allowing him to rest on his laurels.

“I mean, the older you get, the more mature you get. But I think it’s not just about me — it’s the people around me,” Edwards said when asked about the reason for the maturity he’s shown, on and off the court.

While many professional athletes seem to surround themselves with friends and family who pander to their wants, Edwards disclosed that his close-knit circle doesn’t have any of those. They call a spade a spade and do not hesitate to call him out if he slacks off.

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“The people around me, man, they’re not just yes-men. It’s not a bunch of people willing to do anything you say. These people really want to see me succeed, and they don’t let me take a day off,” he divulged. “They stay on me. So, I appreciate everybody that’s in my circle.”

With back-to-back 30-point-plus performances while playing at least 40 minutes, it looks like Edwards has gotten over the knee scare that sidelined him in the first round. It’s timely, too, since the Timberwolves need every bit of his hardwood brilliance to overcome this uber-talented San Antonio squad.

Related: “Don’t look like you spent a second in the gym” – Stephen A. Smith thinks Ja Morant’s lack of work ethic is the reason for fall from stardom

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.