Wolves’ Anthony Edwards Hails Nikola Jokić as ‘Best Player in the World’ After G1 Win

Anthony Edwards had high praise for Nikola Jokić after the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday.

In his postgame press conference, Edwards tabbed Jokić as “the best player in the world,” and praised the Nuggets after a hard-fought win.

“Going against the best player in the world is always fun. Going against the best team in the world is always fun,” Edwards said (3:58 mark). “Like I said, they’re well coached, they’re disciplined, they’re not going to beat themselves.”

On Saturday, Minnesota got the best of the defending champs 106-99 behind a 43-point scoring outburst from Edwards. The Wolves star commended his own squad for coming into the game prepared well.

“I feel like our coaching staff did a great job of game planning throughout the three or four days that we had,” Edwards said. “And I feel like our guys came out and competed tonight. So it’s not about just me personally, it’s about my team. They give me confidence.”

The Nuggets came into the series having handled the Los Angeles Lakers in just five games and looking to get off to a quick start in the second round. Edwards and Minnesota had other plans fresh off their sweep of the Phoenix Suns.

Edwards scored 25 points in the first half, setting the tone for the kind of night he was going to have. His play didn’t slow down much in the second half and he led the Timberwolves to close things out in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

While Jokić had an outstanding night with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Minnesota big man Rudy Gobert showed why he’s taken home three Defensive Player of the Year awards and forced seven turnovers from the two-time MVP.

Stopping Jokić completely is nearly impossible, but if Gobert and the Timberwolves can force mistakes like they did on Saturday, they could win the series.

Minnesota’s role players also stepped up in a big way. Sixth Man of the Year winner Naz Reid had a huge fourth quarter with 14 points, including a 10-point solo scoring run. Veteran point guard Mike Conley also added 14 on the night.

Many pegged the Nuggets to repeat as Western Conference Finals champions, but on Saturday, the Wolves showed that they came ready to compete in the series.