Anthony Edwards has been handed a fresh punishment by the NBA to compound his woes after the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last week.
Edwards had already been docked five times by the league this season and his latest indiscretion came after he received a second technical foul on Thursday. He was subsequently ejected but failed to leave the court in a timely manner before throwing the ball into the stands.
He was fined $35,000 for his troubles with his season total now at a hefty $320,000. The incident came as the Lakers emerged victorious 111-102 over Minnesota.
Edwards’ technical foul was his 16th of the season, which triggered an automatic one-game suspension. It is believed that this one was awarded for directing profanity towards an official. He served the ban against the Utah Jazz on Friday as Minnesota was beaten again.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch discussed the 23-year-old’s latest misdemeanor after the Lakers game, saying: “He knows he needs to get better. Hopefully, it’s gotten to a point where it has boiled over and he learns his lesson going forward.
“He’s had too many outbursts. I think a lot of them [technical fouls] are deserved. They’re gonna miss some calls from time-to-time, for sure. But he’s gotta be better and we’ve been talking to him about it, so it’s on him.”
LeBron James reacts as he is guarded by Anthony Edwards (
Getty)
It comes after Edwards vowed last month that he would avoid any more technical fouls. His suspension will increase by one game for every two additional technical fouls he makes.
Finch added: “Ant’s a pleasant guy. He’s not an angry guy. He’s not a mean guy. He’s not like always cursing at the officials. It’s just these outbursts he has that come out of frustration. Ninety percent of his personality and interaction is super pleasant, usually smiling and happy. (He) loves the game.
“For me, the concern is obviously the missed games and just the amount of technicals in general. But I don’t want him to be unfairly labeled.”
Timberwolves guard Mike Conley told reporters that Edwards apologized to the team after the incident. Conley said: “He knows he’s got to be better for us. All of us down the line … anybody else who’s dealing with whatever they’re dealing with on the court, you have to set it aside & find a way to stick together right now.”
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