Timberwolves Coach Slams Edwards Following His Ejection Against the Los Angeles Lakers 2025

 

It seems likely that Anthony Edwards, the standout player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, will face a one-game suspension following his ejection and his 16th technical foul of the season during his team’s recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Edwards could also be fined for his actions during the game, which included throwing the ball into the stands after his ejection. The incident took place during the third quarter of the match, which ended with the Lakers securing a 111-102 victory on Thursday night.

Edwards’ behavior in the game had already drawn attention earlier when he received a technical foul, bringing his total this season to 16. Following a controversial play, where Edwards believed a foul should have been called on Lakers player Gabe Vincent for a violation against him, Edwards expressed his frustration with the referees. He was penalized with a second technical foul after using foul language directed at one of the officials. This led to his ejection from the game, and shortly after, in a moment of frustration, Edwards threw the ball into the stands. This act, coupled with the two technical fouls, puts him in a position where a suspension seems likely.

Chris Finch, the head coach of the Timberwolves, addressed the situation, acknowledging Edwards’ mistake but also expressing understanding of the young star's frustration. "He has to be better than that," Finch said. "He made several mistakes due to his overzealousness. I believe most of them were deserved calls. We spoke with him about the importance of keeping his emotions in check, and at the end of the day, it’s on him to control that." Finch’s comments suggest that while he recognizes the role Edwards' passion plays in his performance, it’s clear that there’s a need for the player to manage his emotions more effectively in high-stress moments.

While Finch also defended Edwards’ reaction to the play in question, he admitted that the foul called on Vincent, or lack thereof, was a point of contention. "It was a clear violation," Finch said. "It was a simple case of a foul that should have been called. If that had been done, this whole situation wouldn't have escalated. I’m not sure what was said between Edwards and the official, but from my perspective, the violation was clear." Finch's defense suggests that the frustration Edwards felt was legitimate, but the way he expressed it was inappropriate.

At the time of Edwards’ ejection, the Timberwolves were trailing the Lakers 74-59. Edwards was dismissed with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter, which significantly impacted the team’s momentum. Despite the loss of their star player, the Timberwolves managed to rally and cut the deficit down to just 3 points midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Lakers proved too strong, and Minnesota ultimately fell short, unable to complete the comeback and losing by a 111-102 scoreline.

Edwards’ ejection came at a crucial moment in the game, as his team was beginning to show signs of life after being down by a large margin. The Timberwolves’ effort to climb back into the game fell just short, and the emotional blow of losing their star player likely played a role in their inability to finish strong. While the game was competitive in the final stages, the absence of Edwards, one of the league's rising stars, made it difficult for Minnesota to execute and close the gap in the final moments.

Now, Edwards will likely face the consequences of his actions, which could include a suspension and a fine. This serves as a reminder of how important emotional control is, particularly for high-profile players in high-stakes games. The Timberwolves will now have to rely on their remaining players to step up, hoping that Edwards learns from this experience and comes back stronger in the future.