Anthony Edwards gets brutally honest about how Victor Wembanyama motivates him

As one of the most talented players in the league, Anthony Edwards knows that he is not alone as one of the most promising stars. Considering that he is only 25, he has a long future ahead of him with potential for success. In only six NBA seasons, he already has two appearances in the Western Conference Finals, which sets up some big expectations for his future.

He could not lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to their third consecutive WCF appearance in 2026. That was because they lost to the surging San Antonio Spurs led by Victor Wembanyama. It looked like a new rivalry in the Western Conference that features two megastars.

Anthony Edwards acknowledges Victor Wembanyama as someone who motivates him

Nowadays, it seems that the NBA is once again the big man's league. With dominant giants like Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic, the smaller players are facing an uphill battle yet again. Edwards is one of the league's best players, but he fell to Wembanyama in the Playoffs. 

That will be the story of the foreseeable future in most of the NBA because Wembanyama has truly cemented himself as the number one star to build around. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic might be better players at the moment, but Wembanyama's rise is undeniable.

MORE: Anthony Edwards sends a warning shot to the Spurs and the Thunder for the 2026-27 season

Even his peers are seeing him as the motivating factor for them to be more competitive. This includes Edwards, who sees him as a player who will push him and the Timberwolves to perform better, especially after that series in the 2026 Playoffs.

"As of right now, probably Wemby. I mean he’s 7’5”, so I just gotta find ways to get around him. You know, I got to try and outthink him because he’s so much taller than me," Edwards said about Wembanyama being the competitor that brings out the best in him.

That is huge praise coming from Edwards for the 7'5" giant in San Antonio. Moving forward, there is even more potential for a Spurs vs Timberwolves series to keep happening. With their success in the past few years and the projected success moving forward, this will be a rivalry brewing.

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