“Praying for everybody”: Anthony Edwards sends heartfelt support to Minnesota community following shooting incident that shook the nation

At Target Center on Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves took the floor against the Golden State Warriors with the city still reeling from the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse killed a day earlier. The game, postponed from Saturday, became part competition and part communal pause.Amid that setting, Anthony Edwards emerged as both a leader on the court and a voice for the people he represents. After Minnesota’s 111-85 loss, the Wolves star addressed the pain surrounding the team and the city. Anthony Edwards was asked directly if he had a message for those affected across Minnesota. His response was candid as he revealed that he is praying for everybody."I just love Minnesota, all the love and support that they show me. So I'm behind whatever they with. I don't really have social media, so I'm not in tune with everything. But I've heard about the stuff that's going on. Me and my family definitely praying for everybody."Before tipoff, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti, following a similar tribute earlier this month for Renée Good. The NBA Players Association released a statement addressing both deaths, while voices across basketball joined the conversation. Wolves coach Chris Finch, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Breanna Stewart all acknowledged the impact of the tragedy. Edwards delivered one of his strongest outings of the season. He finished with 32 points on 13-20 shooting, added 11 rebounds, two assists, and one block across 34 minutes. It marked his third 30-point game in four contests and his second double-double of the year.The performance extended an impressive scoring run. Edwards has now scored at least 20 points in 18 straight games dating back to December 8. During that stretch, he is averaging 31.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 three-pointers, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks, anchoring Minnesota’s offense through a demanding stretch of the schedule.Despite the lopsided result, Edwards did not deflect responsibility. He pointed to effort and fatigue without leaning on excuses.“We’re supposed to come out here and play hard,” Edwards said post game. “I don’t think we can make an excuse because we’re tired. Everybody tired, everybody ready to go to the break.”“We’re just getting outplayed on the effort part. So we gotta bring it on that side, for sure,” he added.Right now, Ant-Man is looking to get the team back on its A-game.