The season's clutch shot king, Edwards is still evolving

Who is the league’s clutch shot king up to this point in the season? It might be unexpected to see Edwards’ name on that list.

Historically, Edwards has hit some important shots, but his tendency to take ill-advised step-back shots under heavy defense has lowered his standing. In last season’s Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, he scored under 20 points in three of the five games, causing fans to question whether he could elevate his game in truly high-stakes situations.

In terms of achievements, Edwards has reached the Western Conference Finals in the past two years but was defeated by Doncic and Alexander both times. If you add a qualifier, it would be that these defeats were effortless for the opponents, with series scores of 4-1. He has indeed become a superstar in the league and has somewhat proven himself in the playoffs, but he still lacks the final edge to reach the very top.

To gain that extra edge, there’s no shortcut—only continuous improvement. This season, he has been doing exactly that. Against the Spurs, facing Wembanyama, he challenged him one-on-one in the final moments, cleverly using hesitation moves and Randall’s screen to get past his defender, then scored a go-ahead bank shot over Cornette’s block attempt.

After the game, Edwards said, “I was debating whether to shoot or drive, honestly, I’ve never been this conflicted before.” In the past, he might have just stepped back and taken a pull-up three with full force, but now he’s learned to read the situation better—in other words, he’s learned to think.

According to official stats, Edwards has made 9 out of 10 clutch shots in the last 30 seconds this season, including a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range. Expanding the scope, his shooting percentages in clutch moments this season are 70.7% field goals, 57.1% three-pointers, and 83.3% free throws.

After adding the crucial mid-post jumper—a skill essential for great shooting guards—during the offseason, Edwards now has more options in clutch situations. He has gradually reduced the high-risk pull-up threes and instead patiently attacks inside the arc, significantly improving his clutch shooting accuracy, which has helped the Timberwolves’ record rise accordingly.

So far this season, Edwards has set career highs in scoring inside the paint, mid-range, and beyond the arc—a remarkable stat. Last season, his 27.6 points per game and 39.5% three-point shooting were already impressive, earning him the league’s three-point crown after the regular season.

This season, while maintaining his production, he has raised his scoring average to a career-high 28.9 points per game, with all efficiency metrics at their peak. You can’t help but admire Edwards as a natural-born superstar, with historic-level athleticism, ever-improving shooting skills, innate clutch mentality, and an unrelenting drive to get better.

From his rookie season, Edwards caught fans’ attention with explosive dunks showcasing his physical gifts, and when driving past defenders, he often did so in a single step. However, his rookie three-point shooting was only 32.9%, leading some to doubt his shooting ceiling.

But in every season since, his three-point percentage has never dropped below 35.7%. After training with Curry during the 2024 Olympics, he became the league’s three-point king next season, shooting 39.5% from deep. He takes a high volume of threes—10.3 attempts per game. Everyone says three-pointers are the trend of the era, and Edwards has mastered this art.

However, in the playoffs, he found that three-pointers weren’t enough. Against the Thunder’s tough defense, Edwards couldn’t rely on threes to solve problems. So last offseason, he worked hard on his post moves, leading to major improvements in his clutch game this year.

His offense has become more layered; while his three-point efficiency improved, he has reduced his attempts from deep, increased mid-range shots, and become more adept at finishing inside using physicality. Scoring is a natural talent for him, but scoring alone doesn’t guarantee wins—he is now learning to combine the two.

Everyone knows his speed is unmatched, but only when you truly slow down can you better grasp basketball’s flow and understand the winning formula in this league. His average shot attempts have even decreased; he knows he doesn’t have to do everything himself, only to be the right man at the right moment.

Don’t be fooled by Edwards’ usual “I’m the best in the world” attitude—he’s not arrogant. On the contrary, he is quietly improving and, even while becoming a father, hasn’t forgotten to sweat it out in practice.

It’s said that youthful zeal is irreplaceable, but with Edwards, you never have to worry about him lacking that fiery spirit. Through the trials of time, he transforms youthful passion into courage to move forward, rising after every setback until he reaches the peak.