How to Guard Anthony Edwards
Anthony does most of his damage from three-point (41.8% of his attempts) and is a genuine outside threat. The plan below is built from where he actually shoots this season.
Where Anthony scores
Share of his 2025-26 field-goal attempts by zone, with how efficiently he finishes each. This is the map the game plan is built on.
The scouting report: how to defend Anthony
Wall off the paint early
Anthony takes 22.2% of his shots at the rim and finishes 71.5% there. Build the wall before he turns the corner and force the ball back out rather than meeting him at the cup.
Chase over screens
Anthony is a real volume threat from deep (39.6% on 523 attempts, 41.8% of his shots). Go over ball screens, top-lock him off the ball, and never help off him on the perimeter.
Do not bail him out at the line
Anthony gets to the free-throw line about 7.2 times a game and hits 79.6% once there. Contest straight up with a vertical hand and avoid reaching, sending him to the line is the cheapest offense he has.
Pressure the handle
Anthony is turnover-prone (2.9 a game). Dig at the ball on the drive and load your help early, speeding him up is where his possessions break down.
Where the ball goes when you help off Anthony
His most frequent assist targets this season. When he collapses the defense, these are the outlets to rotate to first.
Quiet edges on Anthony
- Scores 3.0 PPG more on the road — actually scores more on the road
- Clutch FG% is +13.4% vs season average — rises to the moment
- Barely affected by tight contests — 50.8% contested vs 44.3% open. Contest quality matters more than contest frequency.
Get Anthony's full matchup plan
HoopBrief turns this shot profile into a complete plan: the exact coverage to run, positioning, what to take away first, and the mistake to avoid, in your own coaching lens. Ask it directly.
Frequently asked questions
How do you guard Anthony Edwards?
Wall off the paint early: Anthony takes 22.2% of his shots at the rim and finishes 71.5% there. Build the wall before he turns the corner and force the ball back out rather than meeting him at the cup. Chase over screens: Anthony is a real volume threat from deep (39.6% on 523 attempts, 41.8% of his shots). Go over ball screens, top-lock him off the ball, and never help off him on the perimeter. Do not bail him out at the line: Anthony gets to the free-throw line about 7.2 times a game and hits 79.6% once there. Contest straight up with a vertical hand and avoid reaching, sending him to the li
What is Anthony Edwards's biggest weakness on offense?
Relative to the rest of his shot diet, Anthony is least efficient on his three-point attempts (39.6% on 523 shots this season). Steering him toward that shot, rather than the ones he makes at a high rate, is the statistical edge.
Is Anthony Edwards a good three-point shooter?
Anthony has taken 523 three-pointers this season and made 207 of them (39.6%). That share of his offense (41.8% of his attempts) is what decides whether you chase him over screens or sag under them.
How many points per game does Anthony Edwards average?
Anthony is averaging 28.8 points per game this season, along with 3.7 assists and 5 rebounds. Scoring volume is why he draws the defensive game plan on this page.
How to guard other players
Shot-profile and box-score figures reflect Anthony Edwards's 2025-26 season. Defensive recommendations are generated from that shot distribution and are teaching guidance, not a guarantee of outcome.