The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 2024-25 NBA season with legitimate championship hopes. A year ago, Minnesota posted a 56-26 record and reached the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards looked like a budding superstar and Rudy Gobert anchored one of the league's best defense.
Fast forward a year and the T-Wolves look a bit different after a blockbuster trade sent Karl Anthony-Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Early returns suggest the trade was huge mistake, as Minnesota entered Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a 17-17 record and barely inside the cut line for the playoffs. Edwards also expressed frustration and the way teams are defending him.
"That's a good brand of basketball, but it's not how I want to play, of course. I'm only 23, I don't want to just be passing the ball all night. ... But the way that they're guarding me, I think I have to," he said of facing double teams.
Enter Luca.
Luca is a young child who is currently battling cancer. After a recent home game, he had the opportunity to meet Edwards and present him with a gift - an orange wristband signifying his fight against cancer.
Edwards told the young boy that he'd wear the wristband for the rest of his career, before introducing him to the rest of his Timberwolves teammates.
Fast forward to Monday night's game against the Clippers. Edwards not only wore the wristband, but he also dropped 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 108-106 victory while doing so.
Who knows if the good run of form continues. But it certainly looked like Edwards was playing the most confident, inspired basketball that he has all season. Should the Timberwolves turn their season around, they may well have one brave young fan to thank for the inspiration.