Anthony Edwards scored 45 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season opener on Oct. 21, 2026, joining Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to post multiple 40-point games in a season opener. The performance, which included nine three-pointers and 10 rebounds, marks the second straight year Edwards has opened a season with at least 40 points.
Edwards scored 41 points in last season’s opener at Portland. Combined with his 45-point outing this year, he becomes the third player in league history to reach that threshold more than once to start a season.
The Historical Company Edwards Joined
Before Edwards, only two players had ever scored 40-plus points in multiple season openers. Chamberlain did it four times in a row, from 1959 through 1962, during a stretch when he regularly posted gaudy scoring totals across entire seasons. Jordan reached the mark three times, in 1986, 1989 and 1995, each coming during different stages of his career with the Chicago Bulls.
Edwards now has two such games across his first six NBA seasons, putting him on a shorter list than either Hall of Famer needed multiple decades to build.
What The Milestone Means
The achievement is notable because 40-point season openers are rare even for elite scorers. Players often need a game or two to find their rhythm after an offseason, making a 40-point night in the opener a marker of in-season readiness rather than gradual buildup.
Edwards’ two 40-point openers came in back-to-back seasons, a detail that separates his case from Chamberlain’s and Jordan’s, since both of those stretches were spread across longer timeframes within their careers.
Context On The Numbers
Edwards shot efficiently from beyond the arc, connecting on nine three-pointers to go with his 10 rebounds, giving him a near double-double in a game dominated by his scoring. The outing follows his 41-point opener last season in Portland, giving him back-to-back season-opening performances that now place him alongside two of the sport’s most prolific scorers.
Edwards’ scoring profile has been a focal point of his development, and his recent emphasis on defensive consistency has drawn attention as he rounds out his game beyond point production.
What’s Next
The Timberwolves will look to build on their season-opening win as they continue their schedule. Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff have not publicly addressed any specific statistical targets for Edwards this season, but his opening-night performance sets an early benchmark compared to his 41-point opener a year ago. The full game recap from ESPN and additional coverage from Yahoo Sports detail the Timberwolves’ 131-106 win to open the season.
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