Reporting NBA referees almost guarantees a fine. But Anthony Edwards is willing to pay to split it after the Timberwolves’ last game.
Although the Timberwolves beat the Thunder, 107-101, their star guard was not happy with the officiating. He claimed there were countless missed calls about possible Oklahoma City fouls.
“The referees were bad tonight. Yes, they were terrible.” Edwards told ESPN after the game.. “We were playing 8 on 5.”
Before Edwards left the court, he was complaining to his teammates about how the game was called. While he celebrated with center Rudy Gobert, He could be seen making a scathing comment: “Cheating, referees.” And in his post-match television interview, he criticized the referees.
When asked how the Timberwolves got the win, Edwards said he didn’t know, given how lopsided he felt the officiating was.
“I’m going to accept the fine because the refs didn’t call us tonight,” Edwards said. “We had to overcome every obstacle, every hold. I don’t know. I don’t know how we won tonight.”
Anthony Edwards didn’t hold back after the 107-101 victory over the Thunder. Listen to Edwards after his 27-point performance. ?@LeaBOlsen | #Raisedbywolves | #NBA pic.twitter.com/C3QnKj95FS
– Bally Sports Norte (@BallySportsNOR) January 30, 2024
Edwards finished Monday’s game with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He also made all four attempts from the free throw line. Overall, the Timberwolves were 13 of 15 from the line. By comparison, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was 15 of 16 on free throw attempts.
But Edwards had no problem with Gilgeous-Alexander earning those trips to the line. He praised the Thunder’s star point guard as “unstoppable.” Gilgeous-Alexander ranks fourth in the NBA in free throw attempts per game, averaging 9.2 per game.
“When he gets to the line, he does it in his sleep,” Edwards said, according to ESPN. “Nobody can mark him. He’s good. He’s super good. But yeah, the refs were bad tonight.”
