Anthony Edwards Reveals Where Timberwolves Stand Among NBA’s Best

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a serious move by adding LaMelo Ball in the offseason and with that addition they've geared up to be a serious contender in the Western Conference and the NBA as a whole.

That won't easy though. The Western Conference remains supremely talented with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs standing out as two juggernauts while the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets all remain threats around the Timberwolves. 

Still, Minnesota is not not deterred. The Timberwolves are used to being underdogs and it didn't stop them from upsetting the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs last season as the sixth-seed nor has it kept them from making it as far as the Conference Finals in the last few seasons. 

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) grabs San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesContenders in Minnesota

The Timberwolves have proven that they can hang quite comfortably with the second tier of threats in the NBA, but the Spurs and the Thunder remain the biggest question for Minnesota the same way they remain a question for essentially the rest of the league. 

But Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has an answer to that question.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) reaches to steal the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the second half at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

"Against those two teams, I think we're going to beat them," Edwards told ESPN about the Timberwolves' chances against the Thunder and Spurs.

Confidence has always been a trademark of Edwards and that energy has certainly spread to the rest of his team and with a healthy floor of talent on their side, confidence is the next thing that any team needs if they want to be able to take down two of the NBA's most formidable giants. 

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) dribbles down the court beside Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesTheir Record Against the Thunder and Spurs 

When it comes to the Spurs, things are personal for Edwards and the Timberwolves. After upsetting the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, the Spurs stopped them in their tracks and sent them packing in the Conference Semifinals. Edwards would certainly like to get his payback when next season comes around.

The Timberwolves had a 2-1 record against the Spurs and a 2-2 record against the Thunder during last regular season, so they've proven already that these teams are beatable.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works around San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the fourth quarter of game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

But that was a different Timberwolves team. The addition of Ball has made them better offensively, but in the process they've had to sacrifice size by trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle and size more than anything else is critical to beat either of the two Western Conference titans. 

Next season will be a different animal and every clash between the Timberwolves and both the Spurs and the Thunder will be matchup of some of the best teams in not just the Western Conference, but all of the NBA.