Minnesota’s win had major ramifications for the Western Conference standings

 

SHAQUILLE O’Neal holds Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards in high regard.

The legendary center and Inside the NBA analyst compared the 6-foot-4 shooting guard to young Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade as he erupted for 37 points against the LA Clippers.

Shaquille O'Neal heaped praise on Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards after Tuesday's win over the LA Clippers
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Shaquille O’Neal heaped praise on Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards after Tuesday’s win over the LA ClippersCredit: NBA on TNT

Shaq said Edwards reminds him of a young Kobe Bryant (pictured) and Dwyane Wade
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Shaq said Edwards reminds him of a young Kobe Bryant (pictured) and Dwyane WadeCredit: Getty

O'Neal teamed up with Wade in 2004 having won three NBA titles with Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers
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O’Neal teamed up with Wade in 2004 having won three NBA titles with Bryant on the Los Angeles LakersCredit: Getty
Edwards, 22, inspired the Timberwolves’ comeback after they fell 22 points down before the break on Thursday night.

The two-time All-Star’s drives to the basket wreaked havoc on the Clippers defense with the ex-No. 1 overall pick going 15-for-29 (51.7%) from the field.

He dropped 22 points in the first half before adding another 15 in the next two quarters.

Minnesota ended up taking a 118-110 win, expanding their lead over Los Angeles in the Western Conference standings.

They triumphed despite missing star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who will be sidelined until the playoffs after undergoing knee surgery.

O’Neal heaped praise on Edwards as he led Minnesota’s charge with the TNT Sports analyst saying he could see shades of his two great former teammates in the Timberwolves star.

“This guy is the system and is the man,” Shaq, 52, said on Inside the NBA at halftime.

“He’s very aggressive, he can get downhill whenever he wants it.

“If you look at him, he reminds me of a young D-Wade and a young Kobe.

“He’s going to score, he’s going to get his every time. He’s playing super aggressive.

“I respect the kid and I love the kid because he wants it. … He plays like you know what, you will remember the name Anthony Edwards.

Edwards is averaging 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season.

The Timberwolves improved to 45-21 thanks to the win over the Clippers.

It left them just 0.5 games behind the top two teams in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.

Minnesota will now enjoy some rest with the team’s next game, a matchup against the Utah Jazz, coming on Sunday.