Andrew Wiggins made some comments about Dennis Schroder after his team’s 119-117 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night that many interpreted as homophobic, but the Minnesota Timberwolves guard insists he was misquoted after reporters misunderstood what he said.
During the game, Thunder big man Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher after he hit his head on the floor while trying to block a Wiggins dunk attempt. Timberwolves players were apparently laughing among themselves after the play, and Schroder took offense to that.
Dennis Schroder is not happy with Wolves players, who were talking amongst each other and laughing a little. Schroder yelled out, "What are you laughing at?" And has been staring at their side for the last couple minutes.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 9, 2019
Schroder was also involved in a skirmish with Minnesota guard Jeff Teague. Teague was issued two technicals and ejected, while Schroder also picked up a technical. After the game, reporters asked Wiggins about Schroder yelling in the direction of the T-Wolves. Here’s how Wiggins replied, and many thought he called Schroder “gay.”
Andrew Wiggins talks about the dunk attempt on Nerlens Noel and the altercations with Dennis Schröder #Thunder #Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/f5qpHQNNox
— Michael Kinney (@EyeAmTruth) January 9, 2019
Wiggins, however, says he was misunderstood. He later took to Twitter to explain what he actually said and insist he would never use any type of homophobic language.
Id like to clarify what I said tonight during my post game media session. I said: “I don’t know what’s wrong with him he was just getting… acting crazy for no reason”.
— andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) January 9, 2019
I have the utmost love and respect for the LGBTQIA community and I would never use any term to disrespect them in anyway.
— andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) January 9, 2019
If you listen to the clip a few times, it does sound like Wiggins said “getting.” It wouldn’t even really make sense for him to call Schroder gay in that context, so it seems like he was telling the truth.
Schroder has been known for having a bit of a temper, as he was also suspended for his role in a scuffle earlier this season.
