It was a moment years in the making — and one Anthony Edwards clearly didn’t see coming.

Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards got an unforgettable surprise during the team’s road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, according to the Daily Mail (Daily Mail). As players were warming up and the arena buzzed with pregame energy, Edwards suddenly spotted a familiar face sitting courtside: his 82-year-old grandfather, Ben Edwards.

The 23-year-old guard immediately broke from his routine, ran over to him with a huge smile, and wrapped him in a long hug before sitting beside him for a heartfelt reunion. According to ESPN and The Athletic (ESPN, The Athletic), this was the first time Ben Edwards had seen his grandson play in person since his high school days, making the moment even more emotional for the rising NBA star.

Ben Edwards, who lives in the Atlanta area, told reporters he simply felt the time had finally come to show up for his grandson on the big stage.

“Hey man, it’s about time. I’m 82 — I’ll be 83 in February. I have to go see him at least once,” he said, smiling proudly. “I feel good. Couldn’t get much better than this here.”

Despite the Timberwolves losing the game, Edwards still delivered a strong performance — and an even stronger emotional takeaway. He revealed that he hadn’t seen his grandfather in two years, a detail reported as well by Associated Press (Associated Press).

“This is my first NBA game with my granddad,” Edwards said during his post-game interview. “Sad I ain’t get the W for him, but I’m just happy he was here. My heart was warm when I seen him. That was great.”

Throughout the night, Ben Edwards became a minor celebrity in his own right. Cameras caught him smiling, chatting with media personnel, and delivering one of the most charming soundbites of the evening. When reporters tried to get him talking courtside, he jokingly complained about the noise and chaos in the arena.

“How can you interview anybody with all of this going on?! I know it’s a job… You got good ears?!” he quipped — a moment that quickly circulated on social media, noted by Sports Illustrated (Sports Illustrated).

For Anthony Edwards, who has often spoken about the importance of family and the role his elders played in raising him, the night was special for reasons far beyond the scoreboard. And for fans watching, it was a touching reminder that even NBA stars light up like little kids when someone they love shows up unexpectedly.

It’s always special when an elder comes to town — and for the Edwards family, this reunion was long overdue and deeply cherished.