Anthony Edwards once again looked close to his best performance against the Dallas Mavericks as his 40 points helped them suffer their tenth consecutive loss. At the same time, Ant wasn't the only superstar to score 40 points, with Cade Cunningham also coming back with 42 in the Detroit Pistons' recent win over the New York Knicks.
And as it turns out, ANT took inspiration from the Pistons' main man.
"I actually do this shit in my sleep... I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said bullshit, that means I have to go for 40 too,'' Edwards revealed after the game, according to a clip on the X posted by ClutchPoints. Not only did the Timberwolves star watch his fellow young superstar put in one of the best performances of his career, but he also used it to push himself.
"I actually do this shit in my sleep... I woke up today and I knew I was about to turn 40. I saw Cade [Cunningham] Go for 40 and I said nonsense, that means I should get 40 too."
Anthony Edwards on his huge game last night against the Mavs 🔥
(via @timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/zAAudJn61B
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 21 February 2026
The Timberwolves won 122–111 as Edwards scored 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting with five threes and six rebounds, his eighth 40-point game of the season. This included 14 points in the fourth quarter, showing the same kind of efficiency Cunningham showed a few days earlier.
Cunningham proved exactly why he previously said he loved playing at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons guard had one of his most complete games of the season, posting 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds on 50% shooting in a 126–111 win over the New York Knicks.
Cunningham scored 14 points in the first quarter and even had a stretch where he scored 11 consecutive points for the Pistons, who extended their run to 41–13, best in the Eastern Conference.
And yet the biggest contribution may have come in the form of inspiration provided by ANT, who responded with a memorable night of their own. The All-Star MVP returned to familiar form with Minnesota's third consecutive win.
They will now face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
