If you’ve watched a single Minnesota Timberwolves game over the last two seasons, you’ve seen it. Anthony Edwards—the man they call "Ant-Man" or simply "Ant"—drills a contested triple, turns to the crowd, and lets out that infectious, slightly cocky charisma that has the league in a chokehold. But the Anthony Edwards 3 point celebration isn't just one move. It’s a shifting library of taunts, nods to legends, and occasional fines that tell the story of a 24-year-old superstar who is playing a completely different game than everyone else.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a league where everyone is trying to be "brand safe," Edwards is out there pointing at defenders, shrugging like MJ, and sometimes getting into hot water with the league office. He doesn't just want to beat you; he wants you to know he’s having more fun doing it than you are.
The Evolution of the "Three to the Dome"
The most consistent part of the Anthony Edwards 3 point celebration is the classic "three to the dome." You’ve seen it: three fingers pressed against the temple. While Edwards didn't invent this—players like Carmelo Anthony and even Rasheed Wallace have used variations—Ant has made it his own by the sheer frequency of it.
In April 2024, during a particularly heated game against the Lakers, Edwards hit a deep three right in front of the Los Angeles bench. He didn’t just do the gesture; he stared down the entire sideline. It wasn't about the points. It was about the psychological warfare. He later credited his coaches for putting together video edits of his best plays to keep his energy high, and that energy translates directly into these celebrations.
But then things got a little more... controversial.
The Finger Gun Controversy and the $35,000 Price Tag
You can’t talk about the Anthony Edwards 3 point celebration without mentioning the December 2025 incident against the New York Knicks. Ant hit a dagger over Mitchell Robinson and, as he walked back toward the bench, he mimicked a gun-shooting gesture into the crowd.
The NBA didn't love that.
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The league has been notoriously strict about "weapon-themed" celebrations ever since the Ja Morant incidents. Even though fans at Target Center were losing their minds, the league office viewed it as an "obscene gesture." It felt a bit like the "No Fun League" crossover into basketball, but it highlighted a key part of Ant's identity: he plays with an edge that sometimes crosses the lines drawn by corporate suits.
- The Fine: $35,000 (though some reports from the 2024-25 season suggest his total fine tally hit over $370,000 for various outbursts).
- The Context: It happened during a 38-point masterclass.
- The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated "I'm the best player on this floor" energy.
That Shrug: The Michael Jordan Comparison
The 2024 playoffs changed everything for Edwards. When he dropped 44 points on the Denver Nuggets, he pulled out a shoulder shrug that looked eerily similar to Michael Jordan’s iconic "Shrug" against the Blazers in '92.
The internet went nuclear.
People started overlaying their highlights side-by-side. The hitch in the jumper, the way they both palmed the ball, and that specific "I can't believe I'm this good" expression. Edwards, for his part, tried to shut it down. He told Fox Sports, "I want it to stop. He’s the greatest of all time. I can't be compared to him."
But then he’d go out the next night, hit a step-back three, and do the shrug again. It’s a paradox. He respects the legends, but he’s also clearly hunting their ghosts. When he hit seven threes against the Nuggets in Game 6 of that series, he walked off the court flashing seven fingers. It wasn't just a count; it was a promise that a Game 7 was coming, and he was the one bringing it.
Why the Celebration Matters for Minnesota
For decades, the Timberwolves were the "spooky" team that never actually did anything. They were quiet. They were polite. They lost.
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Anthony Edwards changed the literal DNA of the franchise. His celebrations are a signal to the fan base that the old Wolves are dead. When he does the "big balls" dance (which got him a $15,000 fine in early 2024) or points at a defender after a steal and a score, he’s telling the Twin Cities that they finally have a "dog."
It’s not just about the Anthony Edwards 3 point celebration being cool for TikTok. It’s about identity. He’s a 6'4", 225-pound wrecking ball with the jump shot of a shooting guard and the personality of a 90s trash-talker.
The Technical Side: How He Gets the Space
You can't celebrate if you don't make the shot. Edwards has refined his "Punch Stepback" to such a degree that he’s now one of the most efficient high-volume three-point shooters in the Western Conference.
- The Setup: He uses a hard "pound" dribble to freeze the defender.
- The Separation: He pushes off his lead foot with enough force to create about three feet of space.
- The Release: He has a high release point that makes it almost impossible to block.
- The Celly: This is where the magic happens. Before the ball even hits the bottom of the net, he’s already looking at the crowd.
That confidence is what makes the celebration work. If you miss, you look like a clown. If you make it, you're a god. Ant makes it. A lot.
Dealing with the "LeBron" and "Luka" Moments
We’ve seen Edwards use his celebrations to go right at other superstars. In the 2025 playoffs, he hit a three right in Luka Doncic’s face and proceeded to talk a marathon's worth of trash while doing his signature gesture.
Luka looked pissed. The crowd loved it.
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It’s this lack of fear that separates Ant. Most young players wait their turn. They wait until they’ve won a ring to start acting like the "Face of the League." Edwards skipped the line. He decided he was the face of the league the moment he was drafted #1 overall in 2020.
What’s Next: The Adidas Influence
With the launch of the AE 2 "Pink" in January 2026, Adidas is leans heavily into this persona. The marketing isn't about being "humble." It’s about being "different." The shoes themselves are designed for that "explosive speed" he needs to get into those step-back threes.
We’re likely going to see even more choreographed or specific celebrations as his brand grows. He’s already the league leader in technical fouls and fine money—hitting $370,000 in a single season is genuinely impressive—and he shows zero signs of slowing down.
Actionable Takeaway: Watching the Ant-Man
If you're trying to catch the next viral Anthony Edwards 3 point celebration, keep your eyes on the "clutch" minutes.
- Watch the footwork: Notice how he uses the "hover step" to bait defenders into thinking he's driving before he pulls up for the three.
- Check the bench: Ant almost always celebrates toward the opposing bench if he’s on the road. It’s his way of asserting dominance.
- The "Seventh Finger": If the Wolves are in a playoff series, watch for him to start counting games or points on his fingers. It's his most underrated tell.
The NBA is better when it has a villain you can't help but love. Anthony Edwards isn't a "bad guy," but he's definitely not playing the role of the quiet protagonist. He’s loud, he’s expensive (to the league’s bank account), and he’s the most entertaining thing in basketball right now.
To really appreciate the nuance, watch his next home game against a top-tier defender. The celebration doesn't just happen after the shot; it starts the moment he realizes the defender can't guard him. That split second of realization is where the superstar lives.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Timberwolves' upcoming schedule for matchups against the Nuggets or Lakers; these are high-probability "celebration" games.
- Look for the release of the Adidas AE 2 "Hell Cat" colorway for more "Ant-style" gear.
- Monitor the NBA's Last Two Minute reports to see how many of these celebrated threes actually decide the game—it’s more than you’d think.