Stunning moment on the court: Anthony Edwards leaves the Timberwolves bench midgame, leaving teammates stunned and fans asking what really happened
Anthony Edwards broke the cardinal rule of basketball Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves’ superstar guard got up off the bench and hit the showers early after being pulled during a timeout as Minnesota was being blown out during a 126-102 loss to the Hawks.
Edwards’ bizarre exit occurred with 7:52 remaining in the game as the three-time All-Star seemingly disagreed with coach Chris Finch, who removed his starters as the Hawks led, 109-80.
The former No. 1 pick did not speak with reporters after the New Year’s Eve loss.
“Obviously frustrated with the performance and rightfully so, but he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team,” Finch said postgame.
Minnesota’s star guard led the team with 30 points on 10 of 18 shooting across 33 minutes.
As Edwards sat down for the timeout, he threw his towel behind him and began walking off the floor while his teammates simply let him exit the court.
Anthony Edwards storms off the floor after the bech was unloaded.
Fellow starters Donte Divincenzo and Julius Randle also sat on the bench at the same time as Edwards stormed off.
Teammate Rudy Gobert echoed his coach’s comments regarding the team’s performance.
Anthony Edwards played well while most of the team struggled.
“Not like a team that wants to play for a championship,” Gobert told reporters after being asked how the team played. “It didn’t seem like we had any type of energy … any type of life.
“Offensively, it just seems like we were playing an individual sport, and defensively it just feels like there’s not any extra effort. I think the two are connected.”
Edwards has played pretty well this season to guide the Timberwolves to a 21-13 record, which makes them good for No. 6 seed in a crowded Western Conference, but he will undoubtedly have some unhappy teammates that saw him quit on the team Wednesday.
Minnesota is 6-4 in its last 10 games and the Heat await next on Jan. 3.
