Anthony Edwards Fined $35,000 for Throwing Ball Into Lakers Crowd After Ejection

Anthony Edwards Fined $35,000 for Throwing Ball Into Lakers Crowd After Ejection

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is facing consequences after his third career ejection during Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA has fined Edwards $35,000 for “failing to leave the court in a timely manner” and for throwing the ball into the stands at Crypto.com Arena. This penalty comes in addition to the one-game suspension he received for accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season. 

NBA Hands Down Fine Following Edwards’ Suspension

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is facing the consequences of his third career ejection, as the NBA has fined him $35,000 for “failing to leave the court in a timely manner” and for throwing the ball into the stands at Crypto.com Arena. This comes just a day after he was suspended for one game due to accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season.

Edwards, known for his explosive playing style and competitive nature, let his frustration boil over during Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. His double technical foul led to an ejection in the third quarter, forcing the Timberwolves to play without their leading scorer. The Lakers capitalized on his absence and secured a 111-102 victory. 

What Led to Anthony Edwards’ Ejection?

The incident occurred in the third quarter when Edwards, frustrated by what he perceived as a missed call, expressed his frustration toward the referees. The exchange resulted in an immediate double technical foul, automatically ejecting him from the game. As he walked off, he launched the basketball into the crowd, which triggered further disciplinary action.

This marks Edwards’ third career ejection and raises questions about his on-court temperament. While his passion fuels his performance, repeated outbursts could cost the Timberwolves valuable wins in the highly competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Anthony Edwards’ Ejection and Suspension Explained

Edwards was ejected in the third quarter after receiving a double technical foul for arguing a non-call. His frustration boiled over, leading to his suspension and fine.

The NBA’s disciplinary rules clearly state that:

“Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received, the player or coach will be automatically suspended for another game.”
— Joe Dumars, NBA Executive VP and Head of Basketball Operations

This means that Edwards will face more suspensions if he continues to accumulate technical fouls.

How Edwards’ Ejection Affected the Timberwolves

Before his ejection, Edwards was having a strong performance, contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and zero turnovers. However, his absence left the Timberwolves struggling, as no other teammate had reached double-digit scoring at the time of his departure. The Lakers were leading 74-59 when he was ejected.

Despite Minnesota’s late rally, cutting the lead to just three points in the fourth quarter, the Lakers ultimately secured a 111-102 victory.

Timberwolves Struggled Without Edwards

Without Edwards, the Timberwolves fought hard but fell short:

• Lack of offensive firepower – No other player stepped up as a dominant scorer.

• Defensive challenges – The Lakers capitalized on key possessions in the fourth quarter.

• Momentum shift – Minnesota’s rally lost steam late, leading to a loss.

To make matters worse, Edwards also missed the Timberwolves’ next game on Friday against the Utah Jazz, which ended in another close one-point loss.

Anthony Edwards’ Impact on the Timberwolves’ Season

Edwards has been a crucial player for Minnesota, shouldering more responsibility than ever this season. He is currently posting career-high numbers in multiple categories:

• Points per game – Leading the team in scoring.

• Rebounds per game – Dominating the glass like never before.

• Turnovers per game – A natural result of handling more offensive duties.

• Minutes per game – Playing more than ever before.

• .535 effective field-goal percentage – A career-best shooting efficiency.

His growth as a leader and primary scorer has been evident, making his absence a major setback for a team competing for playoff positioning in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

NBA’s Stance on Technical Fouls and Ejections

The NBA has strict guidelines regarding technical fouls and suspensions. According to Joe Dumars, the NBA’s Executive VP of Basketball Operations:

*“Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended

The Bigger Picture: Edwards’ Emotional Outburst and Consequences

While Edwards is known for his passion, this incident highlights the need for better emotional control to avoid costly suspensions.

• Losing composure hurts the team – His ejection led to back-to-back losses.

• Accumulating technical fouls could cost more games – If he continues arguing calls, he risks more suspensions.

• Minnesota’s playoff push depends on him – The Timberwolves can’t afford to lose their star in crucial matchups.

What’s Next for Edwards and the Timberwolves?

The Timberwolves will look to bounce back when they face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. This game will be a critical test for both the team and Edwards’ ability to keep his emotions in check. Edwards has been shouldering a larger load than ever for the Timberwolves this season, averaging career highs in points, rebounds, turnovers and minutes per game, while also posting a career-high .535 effective field-goal percentage.

Key Areas for Improvement

1. Edwards needs to control his frustration – Avoid unnecessary technical fouls.

2. The team must step up when he’s absent – Other players need to take on a bigger scoring load.

3. Minnesota must stay disciplined – To remain in the playoff race, they can’t afford self-inflicted setbacks.

Final Thoughts

While Anthony Edwards’ talent is undeniable, his latest fine and suspension serve as a wake-up call. With the playoffs approaching, the Timberwolves need their star player on the court, not in the locker room due to technical fouls. How he responds to this challenge will be crucial in determining Minnesota’s postseason fate.

Can Edwards keep his emotions in check and lead the Timberwolves to victory? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for updates as Minnesota fights for playoff positioning!