In a Western Conference semifinal Game 1 that had everyone talking about Anthony Edwards' heroic return from injury, the Timberwolves' young superstar made sure to share the spotlight with a teammate whose career deserves a second look.

Edwards, who shook off injury concerns to lead Minnesota to a nail-biting 104-102 victory over San Antonio on Monday night, used his postgame press conference to deliver a heartfelt tribute to veteran point guard Mike Conley. And it wasn't your standard teammate appreciation—Edwards took us all the way back to his childhood to make his point.

"Mike Conley was an All-Star in the NBA," Edwards said, his voice carrying genuine respect. "I think people forget about that. Once upon a time, he was one of the best point guards in the league. I always tell him that you used to be one of my favorite players. When I played 2K, I played with you."

It's a reminder that carries weight in today's NBA landscape. Conley, now 38 and in his 19th season, has built a career that deserves more recognition than it often receives. After 12 seasons as the heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies—where his steady hand and elite two-way play made him a franchise cornerstone—he earned his lone All-Star nod in 2021. That selection came after more than a decade of consistent excellence that flew under the radar, largely because Memphis wasn't always in the championship conversation.

Now in a reserve role with the Timberwolves, Conley provides the kind of veteran savvy and floor spacing that championship teams crave. His experience in tight playoff moments is invaluable, especially alongside a young superstar like Edwards.

Conley, for his part, kept the focus on his teammate's remarkable return. "Nobody expected him to play," he told reporters after the game, acknowledging the magnitude of Edwards' performance.

But on this night, Edwards wanted to make sure everyone remembered that the player coming off the bench for Minnesota was once among the game's elite—a point guard good enough to be a video game favorite for a kid who would one day become the face of the franchise.