Anthony Edwards never faced a challenge he didn't like, and that includes locking down one of the greatest ball-handlers in NBA history. The Minnesota Timberwolves star recently caused a stir by claiming he can perfectly guard Kyrie Irving in a one-on-one setting. While Irving is currently trying to come back from a torn ACL, "Ant-Man's" confidence hasn't wavered one bit.
"Oh sure I can guard Kyrie," Edwards said when asked about a hypothetical matchup. "In a 1-on-1 setting, I like me."
“Oh, of course I can protect Kairi [Irving]...In a 1-on-1 setting, I like me"
Anthony Edwards says he can compete with Kyrie Irving on 1v1 👀
- ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 February 2026
It's the exact brand of fearless bravery that has the Timberwolves sitting near the top of the Western Conference. Minnesota most recently took care of business with an impressive 118-105 win against a short-handed Dallas Mavericks team on January 28, 2026. Even without Irving to test his theory, Edwards made his presence felt on the stat sheet.
The face of the franchise finished the night with 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 38 minutes of action. While Julius Randle led the scoring charge with a massive 31 points, Edwards served as the engine that kept the Wolves ahead.
On the other hand, PJ Washington tried to keep the Mavericks afloat with 21 points, but Dallas clearly missed the offensive intensity of its star backcourt.
Irving has historically been a nightmare for Minnesota, averaging 31.6 points in his last ten contests against them. However, as the Timberwolves currently have a 34–22 record and one of the weakest defenses in the league, Edwards is eager for the chance to prove his defensive ability. For now, the NBA world can only imagine what a duel between these two would be like, but Edwards has already made his choice.
