Anthony Edwards Ejects Early in Timberwolves’ Loss

On Wednesday night, Anthony Edwards violated a key principle of basketball etiquette. The Timberwolves’ standout guard unexpectedly left the bench for an early exit during a timeout, contributing to Minnesota’s 126-102 defeat against the Hawks.

This unusual situation unfolded with 7 minutes and 52 seconds remaining in the final quarter, while the Hawks held a commanding lead of 109-80. It seems Edwards, a three-time All-Star, wasn’t on board with coach Chris Finch’s decision to pull him from the game.

Following the loss on New Year’s Eve, the former top draft pick chose not to address the media.

Finch commented after the game, saying, “He’s clearly not happy with how he played, which is understandable, but he really should be there to support the team.” Edwards was leading the team with 30 points, shooting 10-of-18 over 33 minutes before his abrupt exit.

Dropping his towel, Edwards walked off the court, while teammates appeared to simply watch him go, including fellow starters Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle.

Rudy Gobert, in line with Finch’s assessment, expressed concern over the team’s overall performance. He remarked, “This is not a team that wants to play for a championship.” His words highlighted a distinct lack of energy and enthusiasm, citing that offensively, players seemed to act like they were in individual sports, and defensively, the effort was lacking.

Despite his departure, Edwards has had a solid season, helping the Timberwolves achieve a 21-13 record, placing them sixth in the competitive Western Conference. However, his actions on Wednesday might leave some teammates feeling frustrated.

As Minnesota sits at 6-4 in their last ten outings, the team is looking ahead, waiting until January 3rd for their next matchup.