Anthony Edwards has always been known for his bold personality and fearless attitude on and off the court, and that was never more apparent than in his comments about Kyrie Irving captured in the new sports docuseriesStarting 5. His confidence is contagious, and he’s never shy about speaking his mind. After the Minnesota Timberwolves' impressive playoff run, Edwards was riding high, ready to take on any challenge. Fresh off a win against the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, he set his sights on Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks,declaring on national television that guarding Irving in the Western Conference Finals would be “fun.”However, that bold statement would come back to haunt him.
InNetflix’s new seriesStarting 5, fans get a behind-the-scenes look at Edwards’ journey through the playoffs. In unseen footage from Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Edwards, known for his energy, appeared visibly exhausted, even asking teammate Jaden McDaniels to guard Irving instead.What seemed like a moment of playful bravado soon became a humbling reality, as Edwards struggled to keep up with Irving’s elite scoring and ball-handling. TheStarting 5series, which features several NBA players in its cast, captures the tension and regret as Edwards realizes that his words had poked a bear he wasn’t ready to face, setting the stage for a thrilling and unexpected showdown.
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Ant Edwards' Quotes About Kyrie Irving Went Viral During The NBA Playoffs
It Set The Stage For A Showdown
Anthony Edwards’ bold comments about Kyrie Irving quickly went viral during the2024 NBA Playoffs, whichStarting 5covered, sparking widespread excitement and anticipation for the Western Conference Finals matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks. After defeating the Denver Nuggets to advance to their first Conference Finals since 2004,Edwards expressed confidence in guarding Irving.Speaking to NBA on TNT, he said,“It’s going to be fun, man. My matchup is going to be Kyrie, so that’s going to be fun. We’re going to see what I can do vs. him.“His statement created immediate buzz, building anticipation for the showdown between the two star players.
However,Edwards’ comments soon became a point of regret,as seen in Netflix’sStarting 5docuseries, where he openly wished he could take them back after the tough Game 1 loss. Edwards, visibly fatigued, told teammate Jaden McDaniels,“Jaden, you got Kyrie, I’m tired, man.“He further admitted,“I should’ve left Kyrie alone going and saying that right after being dog tired fighting back from a Game 7, I wish I could go and take that back.“His viral statement became part of the storyline leading into the series, feeding into the hype and pressure surrounding the matchup with Irving.
How Kyrie Irving Responded To Anthony Edwards' Quotes About Him
Kyrie Took It In Stride
On Wednesday evening, the Dallas Mavericks secured a 108-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road in Game 1. Kyrie Irving delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one block while shooting 12/23 from the field in 40 minutes of play.
108-105 (Dallas leads 1-0)
109-108 (Dallas leads 2-0)
107-116 (Dallas leads 3-0)
105-100 (Dallas leads 3-1)
August 05, 2025
124-103 (Dallas wins 4-1)
Kyrie responded to Edwards’ bold comments with a sense of respect and understanding,touched upon inStarting 5. He explained how Edwards’ words motivated him before the series.“I used it as a motivation,” Irving said. “When I was sitting at home and I saw it, I was like, it’s just a nod of respect. I also knew what type of game it was going to be. Game 1 and also for the rest of the series. I was at home with my family, watching Game 7, and then Ant comes out and says, ‘I got Kyrie.’ But also that’s a no-fear mentality and that’s why we love Ant.”
Starting 5
NBA superstars LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Edwards give fans an intimate look at their lives on and off the court. The docuseries follows their 2023-2024 season, capturing not just the intense games but also personal moments with family, showing the balance between professional demands and personal commitments.
