Few players in the NBA can shut down Anthony Edwards.
Unfortunately for Edwards, he’s one of them.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ All-Star guard showed once again this week that he can be his own worst enemy. Edwards drew his 18th technical foul of the season during the first half of Friday’s 117–91 win over the Brooklyn Nets, triggering an automatic one-game suspension from the league.
That means — unless the NBA rescinds the technical — Edwards will be forced to sit and watch Sunday’s regular-season finale when Minnesota faces the Utah Jazz.
It’s not just any regular-season game, either. It could be a must-win if the Timberwolves want to lock in a top-six finish in the Western Conference and avoid the risk of a play-in game.
Edwards admitted to reporters after the game that he used profanity while arguing a call with NBA official Ray Acosta. He had shown frustration at a couple of calls in the first quarter, and things boiled over midway through the second.
“I’m praying they rescind it,” Edwards said. “I don’t feel like it should’ve been a tech, but me and Ray have a good relationship. We talked it out after the fact. But I don’t think I deserved a tech for just that little gesture.”
Predictably, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch sided with his star.
“I thought that was an unfortunate whistle,” Finch said. “I don’t know the specifics that were said (between Edwards and the official). I don’t think it was anything overly offensive — certainly didn’t think it warranted a technical.”
Now, Edwards and the Timberwolves feel a bit like a driver who’s been pulled over for speeding and is hoping the judge lets them off. Yes, maybe they were going too fast — but not that fast.
Maybe Edwards and Finch have a point. Maybe it was a tough call, and maybe Acosta pulled the trigger on the tech quicker than usual. Maybe it doesn’t happen nine times out of 10.
But here’s the problem: Edwards knew he was sitting on 17 technical fouls. He knew one more would result in a suspension.
He also knew the Timberwolves were locked in a playoff race in a crowded Western Conference. He knew the regular season was down to a photo finish, and he knew Minnesota had just one game left to improve its position.
None of that was a secret.
And still, Edwards put himself in a position to get T’d up — potentially leaving his team short-handed in its most important game of the season.
Yes, the NBA could rescind the technical. But Edwards could have avoided all of this by managing his emotions and staying focused on the bigger picture.
It helps that Minnesota’s final opponent is Utah — a team in full tank mode, chasing the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Jazz have lost 10 of their last 11 games, and the skid could pay off if they land Duke forward Cooper Flagg as the next face of the franchise.
But crazy things happen in the NBA all the time. One of Utah’s 17 wins this season came against the Timberwolves — a 117–116 victory on Feb. 28.
And you know who wasn’t available for that game?
You guessed it. Edwards.
