Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a decisive 131-106 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, marking a disappointing debut for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Edwards scored an impressive 45 points, becoming just the third player in NBA history to achieve multiple 40-point games in season openers, joining the ranks of Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.

In his first game with Miami after an offseason trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo contributed 35 points and six rebounds. However, his performance was marred by a flagrant foul after elbowing Terrence Shannon Jr. and an airballed free throw, despite receiving MVP chants from the home crowd.

Key highlights from the game include:

• Edwards shot 16-for-29 from the floor, including 9-for-17 from three-point range, and added 10 rebounds.
• This performance marked the highest points scored by a Timberwolves player in a season opener and his 125th career game with at least 30 points.
• LaMelo Ball, in his Timberwolves debut, scored 21 points and provided six assists, while Jaden McDaniels added 17 points and Rudy Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds.

The game started with Minnesota taking a 10-point lead into halftime, outpacing Miami despite a brief comeback. The Timberwolves opened strong, going 11-for-14 from the floor early on, and maintained control throughout the second half, thanks to Edwards and Ball's shooting.

Miami's scoring was rounded out by Bam Adebayo with 15 points, and both Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell contributing 11 points each. Mitchell also racked up 10 assists. The Timberwolves dominated from beyond the arc, hitting 21 three-pointers compared to Miami's eight.