>
LaMelo Ball has owned Anthony Edwards in previous head-to-head matchups
Anthony Edwards' Slow Start vs LaMelo Ball
Edwards struggles to find his footing while Ball shines
Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, has had a slow start to his NBA career. Through his first seven games, Edwards is averaging just 12.1 points per game on 37.5% shooting from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. He has also struggled defensively, with a defensive rating of 116.9.
Edwards' struggles have been particularly evident in his head-to-head matchups with LaMelo Ball, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. In two games against Ball, Edwards has averaged just 10.0 points per game on 30.0% shooting from the field and 20.0% from three-point range.
Edwards has been limited by injuries
Edwards' slow start can be attributed, in part, to injuries. He missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury, and he has been dealing with a thumb injury in recent games. These injuries have limited his practice time and have prevented him from getting into a rhythm.
Ball has been impressive in his first few games
While Edwards has struggled, Ball has been impressive in his first few games. He is averaging 16.1 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. He has also shown a knack for playmaking, with 5.0 assists per game.
Ball's impressive start has helped the Hornets to a 3-4 record, while the Timberwolves are just 1-6. It is still early in the season, but Ball is starting to show why he was considered one of the top prospects in the draft.
Edwards needs to find his rhythm
Edwards needs to find his rhythm if he wants to be a successful NBA player. He is a talented player with a lot of potential, but he needs to be more consistent. He needs to improve his shot selection, and he needs to be more aggressive on both ends of the court.
Edwards has time to turn things around, but he needs to start playing better soon. The Timberwolves need him to be a star, and he needs to show that he can be the player that they drafted him to be.