Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has been handed a $75,000 fine by the NBA for publicly criticising referees.
This marks the second time this month the Timberwolves guard has faced disciplinary action for similar behaviour.
Edwards voiced his frustrations with the officiating following Minnesota’s 113-103 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Earlier this month, the fifth-year player was fined $25,000 for postgame profanity after a win against the Warriors, though that incident was unrelated to officiating complaints.
In his post-game comments on Saturday, Edwards expressed his discontent over what he perceives as unfair foul calls against him compared to his opponents.
“I get penalized for being stronger than my opponent,” Edwards said.
“So they give them the benefit of the doubt. They bump me the same way they bump everybody else, and I never get the call.
“I don’t know what’s got to go down, but something’s got to happen because that is terrible.”
Anthony Edwards on the refs last night:
“I said one thing and he gave me a tech. Motherf***** told one of my teammates if I would have said, ‘Y’ALL calling a bad foul’, he wouldn’t have gave me a tech. N****s sensitive and terrible.”
(via @DaneMooreNBA)pic.twitter.com/6Vgo7yiBvP
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 22, 2024
Edwards’ remarks reflect a recurring theme of dissatisfaction with officiating this season.
His earlier fine stemmed from a different instance where he used profane language in a post-game interview, though officiating was not the focal point.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers star Andre Drummond was wrongfully ejected by the officials on Monday night.
During the game between the 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs, a controversial moment unfolded midway through the second quarter.
With 8:13 left in the period, Victor Wembanyama took a hard fall, prompting the referees to issue Andre Drummond two technical fouls, resulting in an ejection.
However, replays revealed that Drummond hadn’t made contact with Wembanyama, and it was determined the Spurs rookie had exaggerated the fall.
Following a review, the officials reversed their decision, allowing Drummond to return to the game.
When Drummond emerged from the tunnel at the Wells Fargo Center after the reversed ejection, the crowd gave him a roaring ovation.
76ers fans cheered for what they hoped would be a triumphant return.
Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived, as Drummond’s toe injury forced him to leave the game once again, turning what could have been a redemption story into a moment of disappointment.
