T-Wolves’ Anthony Edwards on $40K Fine for Criticizing Refs: ‘It Needed to Be Said’

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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards doesn’t care that the NBA fined him $40,000 for repeatedly and publicly criticizing officials following his team’s 107-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 29.

Edwards called the officials “cheating-ass refs” and said the officials “did not give us no calls tonight,” to the point where he wasn’t even sure how Minnesota won.

He even told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon postgame that Minnesota was “playing 8-on-5,” referencing five OKC players and three refs.

The Thunder shot 22 free throws to Minnesota’s 15, with Edwards sinking all four from the charity stripe. The four-year veteran averages 6.5 free throw attempts per game this year. Minnesota was called for two more fouls (19-17).

Edwards elaborated on his thoughts postgame to MacMahon.

“I haven’t earned [referees’ respect] yet, so it’s OK,” Edwards said. “But I think tonight was bad from the refs. It was terrible. We didn’t get no calls as a team. I got fouled multiple times, and I’m walking up to the ref telling him, ‘Hey, can you watch this?’ They just shaking their head. Yeah. And then soon somebody come down from their team and get bumped, it’s a foul. So I just feel like it wasn’t a fair game tonight from the jump. And so that’s why I’m super happy we won the game.”

The Last Two Minute report from the game did not reveal any issues down the stretch, per MacMahon, who pointed out a correct no-call on a potential Shai Gilgeous-Alexander foul during an Edwards shot attempt.

Ultimately, Edwards and the Timberwolves got the all-important win over the Thunder, who have now fallen a game behind Minnesota for first in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves also kept the good vibes rolling Wednesday with a 121-87 win over the Dallas Mavericks. They’ll look to make it three straight on Friday when the Orlando Magic visit Minneapolis.