The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t exactly have the ideal preseason they were hoping for, as they managed to win just two out of their six games. But when the regular season lights came on, the Wolves made sure to silence the doubters with a statement victory.
Minnesota edged past the Portland Trail Blazers in a (118-114) win in their season opener. However, while fans celebrated the win, what truly set social media on fire wasn’t a highlight or a stat line. But it was a postgame courtside moment between Anthony Edwards and Damian Lillard that has now gone viral.
What Has Damian Lillard Said to Anthony Edwards?
After the final buzzer, cameras caught Edwards and Lillard embracing near the sideline. What seemed like a routine show of respect between two competitors quickly became the night’s talk when fans noticed Lillard’s lips clearly mouthing three powerful words to the Timberwolves star: “You the MVP.”
While no audio captured the moment, lip readers and fans online quickly pieced it together, and within hours, clips of the exchange were circulating across social platforms.
Lillard, who returned to Portland this offseason after signing a three-year, $42 million free agent deal with the Trail Blazers in July, hasn’t yet suited up for the team. The All-Star guard suffered a devastating left Achilles tear back in April during the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
After undergoing surgery in early May, Lillard has been in recovery mode and was sidelined for the Blazers’ season opener. Still, his presence courtside carried weight.
The reason behind Lillard’s compliment is clearly understandable. Edwards put on an absolute show on Wednesday night, leading Minnesota with a 41-point performance, seven rebounds, and an assist.
His offensive explosion not only secured the Timberwolves’ opening-night win but also etched his name into franchise history. Edwards’ 41 points set a new Timberwolves record for the most points scored in a regular-season opener.
He surpassed Karl-Anthony Towns’ 36-point effort in 2019 and Kevin Garnett’s 34-point debut back in the 1999–2000 season. It was a performance that screamed superstar, and Lillard’s words seemed to acknowledge that very fact.
The game itself was a tale of two halves. The Timberwolves struggled to find rhythm early on, trailing by two points after the first quarter and down by four at halftime. But things turned around in the second half as the Wolves unleashed a 61-point surge that the Trail Blazers couldn’t contain and ultimately lost.
The spotlight shifts to Los Angeles, where the Timberwolves and Edwards will face the Lakers on October 24.