Anthony Edwards disciplined by NBA over playoff chair incident

Oct 26, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) reacts to a call by referee Cheryl Flores in the first quarter of the game with the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves wing Anthony Edwards received punishment from the NBA on Wednesday stemming from a chair incident during the playoffs.

Edwards was fined $50,000 for “recklessly swinging” a chair while leaving the court after Minnesota’s playoff elimination against the Denver Nuggets. The league held off on issuing the punishment until criminal charges from the incident were handled, which they were in July.

T-Wolves star Anthony Edwards has been fined $50,000 by NBA for “recklessly swinging” a chair in frustration that hit two bystanders after a playoff loss at Denver.  This matter was deferred until after the criminal investigation that concluded with charges dismissed last month.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 9, 2023

Edwards swung a chair in frustration when leaving the floor after the season-ending loss in Denver. The chair apparently struck two arena workers and both opted to file charges. Edwards’ attorney disputed that the Timberwolves star intended to swing the chair. The pair of third-degree assault charges against Edwards were ultimately dropped, though the NBA’s own investigation clearly did not agree with Edwards’ characterization of the incident.

Edwards notched career bests across the board statistically last season, averaging 24.6 points per game while shooting nearly 37 percent from three-point range. The 22-year-old is expecting to be even better going forward, too.