ESPN announced the broadcast peaked with 10,274,000 viewers by game’s end. That’s 32% better than last year’s Clippers-Mavericks game played in the same slot. That contest, too, featured Doncic, as well as Kyrie Irving and Paul George. This is different. Because Minnesota brings its own star power to the stage in the form of Anthony Edwards.

MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards learned a lot from LeBron James and the other elders on Team USA at the Olympics last summer, yet more fuel for the bouncy, energetic and brash Minnesota Timberwolves guard in his journey to becoming one of the best players in the game.