Talk about the worst possible timing. Just days before the Minnesota Timberwolves wrap up a crucial regular season with NBA playoff implications hanging in the balance, their franchise star, Anthony Edwards, has been suspended.
With Game 82 around the corner and the Western Conference standings tighter than ever, Edwards’ absence could throw the Wolves’ entire postseason trajectory into chaos.
A Costly Technical for Anthony Edwards at the Worst Time
Anthony Edwards was hit with his 18th technical foul of the season during Friday night’s 117-91 win over the Brooklyn Nets. And while Minnesota walked away with the W, it may have come at the cost of their final game and possibly more. Edwards was ejected after exchanging words with official Ray Acosta, questioning a foul call in the second quarter. The tech put him over the limit.
In the NBA, players are automatically suspended one game after reaching 16 technical fouls. Then, there’s one game for every two techs after that. So, with this being No. 18, Edwards is now facing his second suspension of the season. The last time he got sidelined? Also against the Utah Jazz. Minnesota lost that game by a single point.
If the suspension holds, he’ll be forced to sit out the April 13 matchup, again, versus the Jazz, with a guaranteed playoff spot potentially on the line. Minnesota is currently part of the chaotic six-team shuffle in the Western Conference standings, where just two games separate the 3-seed from the 8-seed.
A Career Year Could Hit a Roadblock
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Minnesota. There’s no two ways about it. Edwards is the team’s lifeline. Check the stats: He is averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. And yes, while shooting a career-best 39.7% from deep. He scored 44 points on the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday in a massive win, helping the Timberwolves claw their way into a stronger playoff position.
Head coach Chris Finch reportedly laid into the team at halftime of that game, and Edwards responded by going nuclear in the second half. Minnesota turned up the defense and blew past Memphis. Without their top scorer, leader, and late-game closer, they might be limping into the final regular-season matchup.
To make matters worse, the Timberwolves are one of the few contending teams not playing a playoff-caliber opponent in their final two games. Facing a 17-63 Utah team on Sunday should have been a cakewalk. Now? It’s a potential landmine.
An appeal is reportedly in the works, so Timberwolves fans will anxiously refresh their feeds for updates. If the league stands by the call, Edwards will watch the regular-season finale from the sidelines, praying his team can hold it down in his absence.