Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is somewhat of an expert on technical fouls.
He was quick, therefore, to assist the officials when he saw what he deemed to be an uncalled offense by LeBron James during the first-round NBA playoff game between the two stars.
Anthony Edwards Felt Hard Done By In Game 2 vs. Lakers
NBA writer and recording artist Claire De Lune put her skills to good use during the second game of the Timberwolves-Lakers playoff series. On a third-quarter drive to the basket, James was fouled by Julius Randle, which the officials called a personal, non-shooting foul.
James, the NBA’s career leader in playoff free throws made and attempted, seemed to think it should have been a shooting foul, and let the officials know with an evidently expletive-laden line.
“that’s a tech when i say that shit!” – ant re: lebron 😂 pic.twitter.com/OKMYd9t4SE
— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) April 23, 2025
“That’s a tech when I say that s***!” a disbelieving Edwards can be heard telling the ref in the footage. The official apparently disagreed; James missed a three on the next possession and Edwards scored for the Timberwolves on their next trip down the floor, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 62-51.
While the Timberwolves ultimately brought the game to within single digits late in the fourth quarter, a big James steal-and-score off Edwards sealed Los Angeles’ series-tying win.
LEBRON BIG STEAL & BUCKET LATE IN THE 4TH 👑 pic.twitter.com/huetkc1scX
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2025
Edwards led the NBA in technical fouls during the regular season with 17; James was whistled for one. Neither has been especially foul-prone during the first two games of the playoffs: James had four in Game 2 after an unblemished Game 1, while Edwards is averaging 2.5 fouls per game.
Los Angeles (20-20) and Minnesota (20-25) hit a score of free throws apiece, while the Lakers committed 24 fouls to Minnesota’s 22, including five in just nine minutes by Jaxson Hayes.
NBA Playoffs: Lakers Even Series 1-1
The tech wouldn’t have mattered in the game, as the Lakers out-slugged the Timberwolves in a gritty 94-85 affair in what was Minnesota’s lowest-scoring game of the season.
After hitting a franchise-record 21 three-pointers in their 117-95 Game 1 win, the Timberwolves made just 5 in Game 2 on 20% shooting. Edwards and Randle were the only Wolves in double digits as Edwards finished with 25 and Randle led the way with 27.
The Lakers weren’t much better behind the arc, making one more three and shooting at a 0.7% higher clip. Luka Dončić led all players with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, while James added 21 points and 11 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 16 points for the second consecutive game.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, April 25, at 9:30 p.m. in Minnesota.