Carl Edwards and Ricky Rudd had very little overlap in their respective NASCAR careers. Edwards only entered the elite Cup Series in 2004 — a mere 67 races before Rudd ended his 32-year career — so the two never got a chance to know one another.

Edwards, who will be inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame on Friday alongside Ricky Rudd and Ralph Moody, initially felt nervous to return to the track when the fan favorite driver was invited to NASCAR’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Sitting at 48 points with 2 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls, the Minnesota Timberwolves star got to the free-throw line, where he hadn't missed a shot all night. The sold-out Target Center crowd in Minneapolis was chanting "MVP" as he stepped to the line. Then Edwards missed the front end.

Anthony Edwards scored 49 points, including 20 in the third quarter, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the short-handed Chicago Bulls 127-108.

Edwards had 14 as the Wolves opened a 21-point lead in the first quarter. But perennial Wolves killer Coby White had 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting in the first and the Bulls hunted matchups against Luka Garza as the Wolves went to their bench. Chicago went on a 22-9 run and got within 39-30 by the end of the first quarter.