Image Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

2025 NBA All-Star Game: Why didn’t Anthony Edwards play tonight?

Tyler Herro was inserted in the starting five at Edward’s place.

Image Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

On Sunday, February 16, 24 NBA stars got down to the Chase Center for the ultimate showdown of the 2025 All-Star Weekend, the All-Star Game. In the newly-introduced format, the Chuck’s Global Stars were set to clash against Kenny’s Young Stars in the first semi-final of the night.

While fans were excited to see some big names team up against each other for the ultimate title, not every star made it onto the court. In addition to Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was also sidelined.

“Ant-Man”, in his third All-Star appearance, was selected for the All-Star Game 2025 as one of the reserves from the Western Conference, and was later picked for the Kenny’s Young Stars. While the 23-year-old was introduced before the game along with other players, he didn’t step up on the court.

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Why didn’t Anthony Edwards play in the All-Star Game?

The 23-year-old didn’t feature in the lineup for his side due to a groin injury. Edwards revealed that he has been dealing with the injury for quite some time, despite being listed as questionable in a few games for his side.

After Kenny’s team went down to team Chuck 41-32, Edwards said that he could have given it a shot if he had gotten more time for the warm up. “My groin’s been messed up for a little minute,” Edwards told the media. The injury doesn’t seem severe enough to keep Edwards out of action in Timberwolves’ upcoming clash against the Rockets on Friday, Feb. 21.

Anthony Edwards says he didn't play in the NBA All-Star event because of a groin issue. pic.twitter.com/kkCKft7SXd
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 17, 2025

Miami Heat’s guard Tyler Herro, who won the NBA 3-Point Contest 2025 on Saturday, was included in the starting five at Edward’s place, and he finished with six points and one assist.

Notably, Edwards has played a total of 54 games for the Timberwolves this season, and he has been averaging at 27.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

Anthony Edwards

NBA All-Star 2025

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.