Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards Fined $50K by NBA for Making Obscene Gesture Toward Ref

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture in the direction of a referee, according to insider Chris Haynes.

The incident occurred during the Timberwolves' 127-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Edwards has been given fines for similar issues throughout the start of the 2024-25 season, as he previously received a $35,000 fine for making an obscene gesture to the crowd in a win over the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 15.

The 23-year-old hasn't been shy regarding his thoughts on some referees in the past, as he was fined $75,000 for "public criticism of the officiating and using inappropriate and profane language" on Dec. 23.

Edwards also received separate fines of $100,000 and $25,000 for using profane language in interviews after games this season.

Inconsistency has defined the start of the Timberwolves' 2024-25 season, as they sit at No. 8 in the Western Conference standings with a 20-18 record. It's a disappointing early result after they won 56 games and made an appearance in the conference finals last year.

Edwards' scoring averaged has dipped slightly compared to his 2023-24 campaign, but he's remained effective by becoming a larger threat from behind the arc. In 38 starts, he's averaging 25.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and a career-high 42.1 percent from three-point territory.

Edwards has already picked up nine technical fouls, the most in the association. Meanwhile, he is averaging 4.3 free-throw attempts per game, his lowest mark since the 2021-22 season.

His shot selection may also be contributing to his relatively low free-throw shooting, though. Edwards' average shot distance of 16.9 feet away from the basket is the longest of his career, as he's attempting 9.9 threes per game (via Basketball Reference).

His latest act of frustration once again cost him some money.