The Minnesota Timberwolves, spearheaded by Anthony Edwards, faced off against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Monday night, where Edwards displayed his competitive edge by firing a memorable taunt at Ja Morant. Although the Timberwolves had previously defeated the Grizzlies on January 31, Memphis earned a 137-128 victory in this encounter, snapping Minnesota’s four-game winning streak and shifting the team to fifth place in the Western Conference. Edwards’s notable trash talk came during a high-stakes matchup highlighting the ongoing battle between two promising young guards.
Performance Overview and Player Trajectories
Anthony Edwards has steadily risen as one of the NBA’s premier talents, showing significant improvement after adopting mentorship from Michael Jordan during the offseason. Currently averaging a career-best 29.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, Edwards is widely regarded as a future face of the league due to his relentless intensity and skill set. Conversely, Ja Morant, once seen as a top contender for that distinction, has faced career turbulence stemming from personal and professional challenges. His declining shooting efficiency and reported trade speculation underscore a rocky path compared to Edwards’s upward momentum.
Edwards’s Memorable Moment Against Morant
Though Morant was sidelined with an injury and could not participate in the game, Edwards seized the opportunity to assert himself. During the first quarter, after sinking a catch-and-shoot three-pointer, Edwards looked in Morant’s direction and shouted:
“You can’t do that, Ja!” — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves guard
This comment highlighted Edwards’s confidence, especially considering Morant’s struggling three-point shooting this season at a career-low 23.5%, while Edwards improved to a 40.7% success rate from beyond the arc. Edwards finished the night with a game-high 39 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists, underlining his ability to dominate even in a losing effort.
Fan Responses to Anthony Edwards’s Trash Talk
Edwards’s bold remarks quickly went viral, generating a wide range of reactions from fans on social media platforms. Many embraced the playful competitive spirit, while others reflected on Morant’s past successes and current struggles. Some notable fan reactions included:
“ja too the wolves, sources confirmed 🥷🏾” — Dino Stern, NBA enthusiast
“Ja Morant has cooked Edwards and his team for years.” — Ameer Hussain, sports commentator
“He ain’t lying” — MalcolmG♎️, fan
“Love the trash talk..” — L-e-m-a-a-r-c-u-s, Twitter user
“I mean he can’t 🤷🏽♂️” — Trey A Woodhouse., social media fan
“he not lyin tho” — ❌, sports fan
“😂😂😂there is some truth to that statement” — No Way!, fan reaction
“get JA on this team before giannis Wolves will be the most entertaining team to watch” — chrome, Wolves supporter
Despite the competitive banter, Edwards and Morant shared respectful interactions after the game, signaling mutual respect amid professional rivalry.
How Memphis Capitalized on Minnesota’s Errors
Although Edwards’s in-game trash talk drew attention, the Memphis Grizzlies ultimately triumphed through collective effort. Even without Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 30 points, supported by Ty Jerome’s 19 and Jaylen Wells’s 18 points. Meanwhile, Minnesota received strong contributions from Jaden McDaniels, who scored 29 points, and Donte DiVincenzo with 21 points. However, the Timberwolves’ bench was heavily outpaced, suffering a 52-13 scoring gap against the Grizzlies reserves, which contributed significantly to the loss.
Postgame, Edwards acknowledged the team’s shortcomings:
“Yeah, it’s definitely on us. We knew everything they were gonna do. They just played with a little better pace than us. They wanted it more tonight.” — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Upcoming Matchup and Season Outlook
The Timberwolves and Grizzlies are set to meet again on March 3 for their fourth and final regular-season game, with Memphis currently leading the head-to-head series 2-1. This rivalry remains intense as both teams vie for positioning in the playoff race. Minnesota, after fluctuating between winning streaks and difficult slumps, sits in a competitive spot with a 31-20 record, while Memphis continues to seek stability with a 19-29 record, currently outside the play-in zone.
Anthony Edwards’s emergence as a leading talent highlights the shifting landscape in the Western Conference, while the fate of Ja Morant adds intrigue to the league’s evolving dynamics. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these young players influence their teams’ fortunes as the season progresses.
Anthony Edwards to Ja Morant after hitting a 3:
“You can’t do that, Ja!” pic.twitter.com/xCsF9Qg0L6
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 3, 2026
ja too the wolves, sources confirmed 🥷🏾
— Dino Stern (@RobbDino) February 3, 2026
Ja Morant has cooked Edwards and his team for years.
— Ameer Hussain (@Ameerhussain24) February 3, 2026
He ain’t lying
— MalcolmG♎️ (@Miami_6oy74) February 3, 2026
Love the trash talk..
— L-e-m-a-a-r-c-u-s (@1Lemaar) February 3, 2026
I mean he can't 🤷🏽♂️
— Trey A Woodhouse. (@CoachDoggieDogg) February 3, 2026
he not lyin tho
— ❌ (@swavesauce) February 3, 2026
😂😂😂there is some truth to that statement
— hell naw (@callmeboomer_) February 3, 2026
get JA on this team before giannis Wolves will be the most entertaining team to watch
— chrome (@lilchr0me) February 3, 2026
Anthony Edwards when asked if this loss to Memphis felt self-inflicted
"Yeah, it's definitely on us. We knew everything they were gonna do. They just played with a little better pace than us. They wanted it more tonight." pic.twitter.com/ON6BaFMLqp
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 3, 2026
