76ers’ Joel Embiid Crowns Timberwolves Star Top 3 Favorite

In a copycat league, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid drew inspiration from Minnesota Timberwolves’ star guard, Anthony Edwards.

On Thursday night, the Timberwolves hosted the Memphis Grizzlies and featured one of the NBA’s most exciting plays of the season.

As Minnesota’s high-flying star guard, Anthony Edwards, tends to make highlight plays on the daily, he outdid himself against Memphis, as he threw down a monster dunk off an assist from himself.

Standing near the free throw line, Edwards saw an open land to the basket. After pump-faking and shaking his defender, Edwards looked like was ready to maneuver his way to the side to throw up a shot. Instead, it was clear he had other plans.

After banking the ball off the glass, Edwards attacked the rim and threw down a signature dunk over two defenders, who were left shocked at the play. Unsurprisingly, Edwards’s throw-down went viral, and Joel Embiid caught inspiration.

On Friday, the Sixers paid a visit to the Orlando Magic. Amid Embiid’s 30-plus-point outing, the big man pulled off a move that was nearly identical to Edwards'.

J😱EL EMBIID. pic.twitter.com/pKA5dzzryP
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2024

Coincidence? After the game, Embiid explained:

"I like to challenge myself,” Embiid told reporters, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gina Mizell. “Anthony Edwards is one of my top three favorite players in the league. I mean, dude is so nice. And I saw it last night. I was like, 'If he can do it, why can’t I do it, too?'"

Embiid had fun in his matchup against the Magic on Friday. As the Sixers took care of business with a 124-109 victory, the big man continued his streak of scoring over 30 points as he posted 36 points in under 31 minutes of action.