Anthony Edwards makes history alongside Jordan and Chamberlain in the NBA debut

Anthony Edwards began the 2026-27 NBA season with a spectacular performance that once again placed him among the league's top scorers. The star of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 45 points in the 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat and became the third player in history to score 40 points in a season opener on more than one occasion, following in the footsteps of Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.

The fact surprised Edwards himself when it was communicated to him after the game. The shooting guard did not hide his disbelief upon discovering that only two other players had managed to deliver such a performance in the first game of an NBA season.

“What madness!” exclaimed Edwards, sitting in front of his locker, with a smile as wide as his face could allow. “It’s crazy!”.

The performance against Miami confirmed that the season opener is once again a favorable stage for the Minnesota player. After scoring 41 points in last season's opener against Portland, Edwards raised his tally even higher with an offensive showcase that allowed the Timberwolves to start the season with a convincing victory.

Nine threes and 45 points to overcome Miami

Edwards dominated the game from the perimeter, finishing with more three-pointers than the entire Heat team. The shooting guard made nine three-point shots, while Miami concluded with eight successes in 33 attempts from that distance.

His final numbers reflected the extent of his performance: 45 points, 16 baskets from 29 attempts, nine three-pointers from 17 attempts, ten rebounds, and three assists in just over 33 minutes of play. A production that allowed Minnesota to win by 25 points, and made him the standout player of the day for the Timberwolves.

His scoring was spread throughout the game. Edwards accumulated 12 points in the first quarter, nine in the second, 15 in the third, and another nine in the final period before finishing his work. He did not need to concentrate all his scoring in a single stretch to decide the game, but maintained his offensive threat throughout the four quarters.

Minnesota's coach, Chris Finch, highlighted his star's ability to respond when the significance of games increases and explained that the season opener fits perfectly with that competitive profile.

“With the mentality and skills he has, Anthony has always excelled in important moments; he experiences them passionately and embraces them as a challenge,” Finch commented. “And the opening night is undoubtedly one of those moments.”

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Chamberlain, Jordan, and Edwards: a historic list

The performance against Miami allowed Edwards to share a record reserved for two of the most important figures in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most dominant scorers the league has seen, scored at least 40 points in four consecutive season openers from 1959 to 1962.

Michael Jordan also reached that number on several opening nights, specifically in 1986, 1989, and 1995. Now, Edwards has joined both after surpassing 40 points in the season opener for the second consecutive year.

The record takes on special relevance due to the stature of the names with which it shares the statistic. Edwards had already demonstrated last season his ability to elevate his scoring in the first game of the calendar, but repeating it with 45 points has allowed him to enter a historic list in the competition.

The victory for Minnesota also made clear the weight of their star in the project. His nine three-pointers alone surpassed Miami's total production from the perimeter, a difference that illustrates how much Edwards influenced the game and forced the Heat to try to find answers to his offensive efficiency.

The provocation from the bench also motivated him

“They put us to the test,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Edwards offered more details about what happened and acknowledged that his opponent's words ended up fueling his competitiveness.

“He was saying some pretty ridiculous things,” Edwards noted. “And when I started responding to him, he didn't have much more to say. I don't like that kind of stuff... I think that was, in large part, why I played with so much intensity tonight.”

However, it was not the only motivation that accompanied the player during the game. Edwards also received a message from his wife that made the night something special from a personal perspective.

“My wife sent me a picture of my daughter watching the game, staying awake past her bedtime,” Edwards shared. “So, yes, it had a special meaning for me.”

The Timberwolves begin the season with a statement of intentions

The 131-106 win over Miami allowed Minnesota to start the season with a resounding victory and a new showcase of their main offensive reference. Edwards once again demonstrated that he can turn a notable night on the calendar into a showcase for his talent, both for his scoring ability and for the ease with which he generates advantages from the three-point line.

In addition to his 45 points, he added ten rebounds and three assists, completing a performance that went far beyond a mere shooting display. The shooting guard maintained a consistent level of production throughout the game and finished with nine three-pointers, one more than the Heat managed in their 33 attempts.

The statistical comparison with Chamberlain and Jordan offers a historical dimension to his opener, while his own words help to understand how he approached the game. The competitive motivation, the verbal challenge from the opposing bench, and the memory of his daughter watching the game combined for a night that ended with Edwards as the absolute protagonist.

Minnesota had already seen its star surpass 40 points in the opening of the previous season. This time, Edwards raised the bar to 45 and once again left his name alongside two NBA legends.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Anthony Edwards entra en la historia junto a Jordan y Chamberlain en el estreno de la NBA