Anthony Edwards played in his 200th career game Sunday, a milestone event but also a testament to his availability.
Now in his third year with Minnesota, the former No. 1 overall pick has missed just 10 games in his career – all of which came last season. Edwards was out for a six-game stretch in mid-to-late December 2021 and then for four games in early March 2022.
(In his 2020 draft class, only Detroit’s Saddiq Bey has appeared in more games with 203 but Edwards has played over 700 minutes more than Bey.)
Otherwise, he’s been on the court. And quite productive.
In the Wolves’ blowout win over Denver on Sunday, Edwards played 30 1/2 minutes – he had 35+ minutes in each of his previous 13 contests – and finished with 20 points.
That gave Edwards 4,310 points in his career, allowing him to pass Tony Campbell (who had 4,304) for most points in their first 200 games with the Timberwolves. He also eclipsed Karl-Anthony Towns (4,298) for the most in 200 games for players who began their career in Minnesota.
In NBA history, he’s 43rd on the list for most points in the first 200 games of a career – one behind some guy named Larry Bird.
Among guards, Edwards is 13th all-time behind some pretty notable names: Jerry West (4,936), Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (4,887), Tiny Archibald (4,864), Trae Young (4,824), Dave Bing (4,720), Allen Iverson (4,699), Geoff Petrie (4,573), Dwyane Wade (4,564), Mitch Richmond (4,541), Donovan Mitchell (4,530), Pete Maravich (4,478) and Ja Morant (4,342).
Every player on that list eligible for the Hall of Fame is a member except Petrie, whose career ended after six seasons due to a knee injury.
Edwards hit one 3-pointer in that win over the Nuggets, giving him 538 in his career. The only players with more made 3s in their first 200 games are Duncan Robinson (649) and Devonte’ Graham (541). Of course, those players are more 3-point specialists. Robinson has only 164 made 2s and Graham 321. Edwards has nearly double the amount of 2s (1,013) than 3s. Only two other players hit at least 500s in their first 200 games: Luka Doncic (533) and Damian Lillard (502). Again, not bad company to be in.
Earlier this season, Edwards surpassed Doncic as the youngest player to reach 500 trifectas, doing it Jan. 16 at the age of 21 years, 165 days (Doncic was 22 years, 55 days).
Edwards started the month by compiling 27 points along with six rebounds, five assists and two steals in a Feb. 1 victory over Golden State.
It marked his 33rd game this season with 25+ points and the 79th of his career.
Only four players have more 25+-point outings than Edwards before their 22nd birthday: LeBron James (160), Kevin Durant (136), Carmelo Anthony (98) and Doncic (91). Again, pretty, pretty, pretty good company to keep.
Edwards has a chance to move up that list as he won’t turn 22 until August (this is playing this entire season at 21).
On the season, Edwards is averaging 24.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.1% from the field and hitting 36.5% of his 3-point tries – each of those stats represent career highs.
If he can maintain that pace, or close to it, Edwards will become just the fifth player in NBA history to average at least 23 points, six rebounds and four assists at age 21 or younger. Doncic and James both did it twice as well as Tracy McGrady and some guy named Michael Jordan.
He also could be just the fifth player to average at least 21 points and five rebounds (he’s currently at 21.6 and 5.1) over a career at 21 years old, joining Anthony, Doncic, Durant and James.
And why did he not make the All-Star Game this season? It’s a slight we have a feeling won’t be repeated in future years.
