Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards has been hit with a $40,000 fine by the NBA for publicly criticizing the referees after a recent game. The All-Star guard expressed his frustration with the officiating during a post-game interview, despite his team’s victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Key Takeaway
Anthony Edwards has been fined $40,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the referees after a recent game, expressing his frustration with the officiating despite his team’s victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Edwards’ Criticism of Referees
During a post-game interview on Monday, Anthony Edwards voiced his displeasure with the referees, stating that his team did not receive favorable calls during the game. He expressed his frustration by saying, “I’ma take the fine because the refs did not give us no calls tonight. We had to play through every bump, every grab. I don’t know how we won tonight.”
Even after the victory, Edwards was captured on camera criticizing the officials while celebrating with teammate Rudy Gobert, shouting, “Cheatin’ ass refs!!!”
Consequences of Criticism
As anticipated by Edwards, the NBA imposed a $40,000 fine on him “for repeatedly publicly criticizing the officiating.” This is not the first time the 22-year-old has faced financial penalties from the league. In August last year, he was fined $50,000 for swinging a chair in frustration after his team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Nuggets.
Financial Impact
Despite the hefty fine, the $40,000 penalty is relatively small compared to Edwards’ earnings. The young star signed a lucrative five-year, $260 million deal with the Timberwolves last July, indicating that the fine is unlikely to significantly impact his finances.
