Few gamers within the NBA can shut down Anthony Edwards.
Sadly for Edwards, he’s one in every of them.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ All-Star guard confirmed as soon as once more this week that he may be his personal worst enemy. Edwards drew his 18th technical foul of the season in the course of the first half of Friday’s 117–91 win over the Brooklyn Nets, triggering an computerized one-game suspension from the league.
Which means — until the NBA rescinds the technical — Edwards will likely be pressured to take a seat and watch Sunday’s regular-season finale when Minnesota faces the Utah Jazz.
It’s not simply any regular-season recreation, both. It may very well be a must-win if the Timberwolves need to lock in a top-six end within the Western Convention and keep away from the chance of a play-in recreation.
Edwards admitted to reporters after the sport that he used profanity whereas arguing a name with NBA official Ray Acosta. He had proven frustration at a few calls within the first quarter, and issues boiled over halfway by way of the second.
“I’m praying they rescind it,” Edwards mentioned. “I don’t really feel prefer it ought to’ve been a tech, however me and Ray have a very good relationship. We talked it out after the actual fact. However I don’t suppose I deserved a tech for simply that little gesture.”
Predictably, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch sided together with his star.
“I assumed that was an unlucky whistle,” Finch mentioned. “I don’t know the specifics that have been mentioned (between Edwards and the official). I don’t suppose it was something overly offensive — actually didn’t suppose it warranted a technical.”
Now, Edwards and the Timberwolves really feel a bit like a driver who’s been pulled over for dashing and is hoping the choose lets them off. Sure, perhaps they have been going too quick — however not that quick.
Perhaps Edwards and Finch have a degree. Perhaps it was a troublesome name, and perhaps Acosta pulled the set off on the tech faster than ordinary. Perhaps it doesn’t occur 9 instances out of 10.
However right here’s the issue: Edwards knew he was sitting on 17 technical fouls. He knew yet one more would lead to a suspension.
He additionally knew the Timberwolves have been locked in a playoff race in a crowded Western Convention. He knew the common season was right down to a photograph end, and he knew Minnesota had only one recreation left to enhance its place.
None of that was a secret.
And nonetheless, Edwards put himself ready to get T’d up — probably leaving his crew short-handed in its most vital recreation of the season.
Sure, the NBA may rescind the technical. However Edwards may have averted all of this by managing his feelings and staying targeted on the larger image.
It helps that Minnesota’s remaining opponent is Utah — a crew in full tank mode, chasing the No. 1 decide within the NBA Draft. The Jazz have misplaced 10 of their final 11 video games, and the skid may repay in the event that they land Duke ahead Cooper Flagg as the following face of the franchise.
However loopy issues occur within the NBA on a regular basis. Considered one of Utah’s 17 wins this season got here towards the Timberwolves — a 117–116 victory on Feb. 28.
And you realize who wasn’t obtainable for that recreation?
You guessed it. Edwards.
