Minnesota Timberwolves' star guard Anthony Edwards has been slapped with a $25,000 fine for launching the game ball into the stands with some gusto, as announced by the NBA on Thursday.
This incident unfolded during halftime of the Timberwolves' tight three-point win over Portland earlier this week. Edwards, who was the top pick in the 2020 draft, is no stranger to fines, having faced several during the 2024-25 season. However, this marks the first fine for the four-time All-Star in the current campaign, aside from any technical fouls.
Back in the 2023-24 season, Edwards earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team, which boosted the value of his rookie scale max extension from 25% to 30% of the salary cap for 2024-25. Now in the second year of that lucrative five-year deal, Edwards is set to rake in a cool $202.4 million over the next four seasons. So, while the $25,000 fine might sting a little, it’s more of a slap on the wrist for the young star.
Edwards is making a strong case for another All-NBA selection this season. He's putting up career-best numbers, averaging 29.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting an impressive .493/.400/.789. With the Timberwolves sitting at 36-23 and holding the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, Edwards’ performance is a big reason why they're in the playoff hunt.