Netflix Series Highlights Anthony Edwards’ Heated Exchange with Jayson Tatum

Netflix‘s documentary series, Starting 5, which premiered recently, offers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of five professional basketball players. One of the series’ standout moments involves a contentious exchange between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum during a game in the 2023-24 NBA season.

The premiere episode spotlights Anthony Edwards’ exceptional performance against the Boston Celtics in November 2023. Edwards played a pivotal role in the Timberwolves’ 114-109 overtime victory, scoring a game-high 38 points and delivering strong defensive plays against Jayson Tatum. The encounter marked Boston’s first loss of the season, which had started with a flawless 5-0 record.

In a locker-room moment captured by Netflix cameras post-game, Edwards expressed his skepticism regarding Tatum’s reputation as one of the league’s top players. He remarked, “You seen Tatum trying to get me on the switch, locked his ass up two times. Tatum was talking crazy, saying, ‘Yeah, I’m here,’ then I said, ‘I’m coming again.’ Talking about ‘best player in the league’…y’all trippin’.”

Jayson Tatum, who contributed 32 points and five steals despite the loss, later addressed the immense pressure faced by the Celtics, who were widely regarded as favorites for the NBA title. “We’re expected to win every single night and when we lose, the f—ing world is ending, everybody’s on TV talking about us, how we’re not equipped to win a championship, how I can’t lead a team,” Tatum explained.

The Celtics did bounce back, with Tatum leading Boston to its record 18th NBA championship. However, it was Jaylen Brown, Tatum’s longtime teammate, who was honored with the NBA Finals MVP award for his performance against the Dallas Mavericks.

The rivalry between Edwards and Tatum is expected to continue as the two teams will face off twice during the 2024-25 season, highlighting an ongoing competitive spirit that fans eagerly anticipate.