Gilbert Arenas Walks Back Criticism After Anthony Edwards Rocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Thunder With Late Heroics

Gilbert Arenas walked back on his criticism of Anthony Edwards after the Timberwolves star sealed the win for his team against the OKC Thunder on Friday. Edwards hit the game-winning 3-point shot to secure a 112-107 win and hand the invincible Thunder their third loss of the season.

After the game, the courtside reporter asked Edwards for his thoughts on going for a game-winning three when he could have tied the game with two points. The Timberwolves star called out his critics while name-dropping Gilbert Arenas.

"I receive a lot of negative criticism because I never go for the tie. I heard Gilbert Arenas not to long ago say I'm trying to go home. I'm going for the game every time," he said.

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Anthony Edwards: "I receive a lot of negative criticism because I never go for the tie. I heard Gilbert Arenas not to long ago say I'm trying to go home. I'm going for the game every time"

Arenas took Edwards' response positively and praised the Timberwolves star on his Instagram story on Friday. He shared a video of Anthony Edwards' courtside interview playing on his television set, while accompanying his thoughts in the caption.

"Its called Ant-Man now 'We never go for the TIE🔥" Arenas wrote.

Gilbert Arenas walks back on his Anthony Edwards criticism. (Credits: @nochillgil/IG)

Edwards led the scoring charts for his team against the Thunder. He notched 26 points, collected 12 rebounds and dished out three assists.

Anthony Edwards gets real on the improvement in his game after Thunder playoff series

Anthony Edwards has flourished into an All-Star caliber player since his inception in 2020. The Timberwolves star has led his team to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances in the last two seasons.

However, Ant-Man fell short in both of those opportunities. Last season, the OKC Thunder's stoic defense suffocated Edwards with double teams and persistent man markings. They neutralized the Timberwolves star and booked their ticket to the NBA Finals with a 4-1 record.

The adversity Edwards faced against the Thunder last season forced him to adapt and mold his game. The Timberwolves star leaned on perfecting the midrange game, which over the years has been used by greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to beat double teams.

In an interview with NBA insider Shams Charania on Friday, Edwards revealed the midrange game has been his project since this summer. (Tiimestamp: 0:15)

"Working on my mid-range. Being able to play though contact. Trying to leave the refs alone because I had a lot of ticks last year. So just trying to grow," He said.

Later, Charania asked the Timberwolves star about the time he realized he needed to level up.

"I was playing against the OKC. They play like AAU defense, like run and jump. So there’s not too much you going to be able to do at the top of the court with the ball in your hand because they’re going to put two, three people on the ball every time I touch it. So after the series I was just like, ‘Man I got to find different ways to score."

Anthony Edwards is averaging 28.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on 49.8% shooting.