The Minnesota Timberwolves made a statement in their playoff debut, delivering a resounding defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers with a 117-95 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series. Young star Anthony Edwards played a pivotal role in this commanding win, contributing 22 points and sinking four three-pointers, effectively silencing a boisterous Lakers crowd.
While the Timberwolves enjoyed success on the court, the post-game headlines did not favor Edwards after a fiery exchange with a fan. When a spectator began heckling Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Edwards quickly leaped to his teammate’s defense, calling out the fan for their disrespect. He even highlighted Gobert’s impressive contract, worth over $200 million, in an effort to diminish the heckler’s impact.
But when the taunts fell flat, Edwards took it a step further. In a moment that has since raised eyebrows, he shouted, “My [expletive] bigger than yours!” while making a provocative gesture. The NBA’s response was swift, hitting Edwards with a $50,000 fine for the incident. This isn’t the first time Edwards has faced a financial penalty this season; he previously received a $35,000 fine in March after a prolonged departure from the court following an ejection. His fines this season have totaled over $300,000, which includes penalties for using profanity during live broadcasts and other inappropriate gestures. Edwards also faced a one-game suspension for accumulating 16 technical fouls during the regular season.
As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 2, they’ll need their star guard to focus and contribute on the court, especially as they aim to build a commanding lead in the series. On the other side, the Lakers are eager to level the series before returning to Minnesota. Los Angeles superstar Luka Doncic lit up the scoreboard in Game 1, racking up 37 points while LeBron James added 19 to the tally. For Minnesota, Jaden McDaniels showcased his scoring prowess with 25 points and nine rebounds, underscoring the team’s depth.
All eyes will be on Tuesday night’s Game 2 matchup as the Timberwolves look to replicate their success and keep the Crypto.com Arena crowd in check. Fans can catch the Western Conference playoffs at 10 PM ET on TNT—it’s bound to be another electrifying contest.
