Anthony Edwards is making a strong case to earn a starting spot for Team USA at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star was excellent in Monday’s exhibition matchup against Australia, posting 14 points in the Americans’ 98-92 victory. He scored 11 points in the first quarter alone.
He was one of six players to reach double-digit points in the contest, joining Anthony Davis (17 points, 14 rebounds), LeBron James (10 points), Joel Embiid (10 points, five rebounds, two steals), Bam Adebayo (10 points) and Devin Booker (16 points).
Jock Landale led Australia with 20 points, while Josh Giddey added 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The United States led by as many as 22 points in the second half, though Australia proved to be pesky, reducing the deficit to four points late in the fourth quarter. It was too little, too late, however, as the United States held on for the victory.
After the contest, Edwards and Davis in particular earned some love from fans and pundits:
To this point, Stephen Curry, James and Embiid have started both Olympics warm-ups, a strong indication that the trio will start in Paris. The two spots alongside them are seemingly up for grabs, however, with Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker starting against Canada in the first warm-up and Edwards and Jayson Tatum getting the nod on Monday.
Kevin Durant hasn’t played in either warm-up as he recovers from a calf injury, though he is a strong possibility to claim a starting gig.
Both Edwards and AD have been excellent in both games, meanwhile, locking in major roles for Paris. Edwards seems more likely to translate that into a starting berth unless AD is able to leapfrog Embiid for the starting center role.
That seemed feasible after Embiid struggled in his Team USA debut, though he was far better on Monday. The Philadelphia 76ers big man provides the team a physicality inside that a number of teams in Paris simply won’t be able to match, offering the Americans a new dimension.
The main takeaway is that Steve Kerr has a roster loaded with superstars who would be viable starters. File that under the “good problem for a coach to have” department.