Image Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

“Don’t Try To Make Anthony Edwards the Face of the NBA”: Analyst Rips Into Anthony Edwards’ Postseason Dip, Shuts Down Media Hype

Anthony Edwards’ struggles in the Western Conference Finals against SGA's OKC Thunder have shifted public perception.

Image Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

The OKC Thunder have dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves so far in the Western Conference Finals. They are firmly in the conversation for the NBA Title with a 3-1 lead going into their home court. Such performance has shifted perceptions around the Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards as well.

Many NBA analysts confidently predicted a Timberwolves’ championship run and pegged Anthony Edwards as the league’s next face. But reality has told a different story.

The opposite has taken place, with Anthony Edwards managing to only bring his A game in the third fixture of the Thunder vs. Timberwolves series. On Saturday, the 23-year-old scored 30 points with 9 rebounds and 6 assists that led to his side’s 143-101 victory.

Anthony Edwards — Lu Dort. 👀🍿

pic.twitter.com/0A3LxrNise
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 25, 2025

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Apart from that, his performances in the first game and the fourth game have been far from promising. In the first match of the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards scored 18 points in game 1 and in the all important game 4, he managed just 16 points in 41 minutes of action.

In contrast, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has delivered MVP-caliber performances, elevating the Thunder with dominant two-way play. During the Thunder vs. Timberwolves game 4, the 26-year-old scored a 40 point double-double. With nine rebounds, he was on the cusp of making a historic triple double. Such stark contrast in performances between Anthony Edwards and SGA has changed many analysts’ perception.

Analyst’s Verdict Questions Anthony Edwards’ Rise

NBA Analyst Charles Barkley has hit out on Anthony Edwards after his recent performances. He also suggested that Edwards is not becoming the face of the league. Some of his colleagues branded him as the upcoming face of the league, however, Barkley vehemently disagreed with that take.

Charles Barkley said, “OKC is the best team in the NBA. I’ve been telling you that for two months. Hey ESPN, I love you guys. Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA. The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joker and Giannis. You can’t give it to people, they have to take it, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it.”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was one of the first analysts to suggest that Anthony Edwards will be the face of the league. This was when Edwards took down a defensively weak Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, a Steph Curry-less and Unfit Jimmy Butler’s Golden State Warriors in the second round.