The Los Angeles Lakers are cruising to an easy victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with an 80-69 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter. They’ll likely hold onto the win after Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards was ejected in the third quarter for picking up two technical fouls for arguing with the referees.
Edwards also tossed the ball into the stands in protest, which is another guaranteed fine for the star. He’s received over 16 technical fouls already this season, mandating a one-game suspension from NBA games.
“Anthony Edwards has 16 technical fouls this season, which will trigger an automatic one-game suspension if he doesn’t get one of his T’s from tonight rescinded.”
Anthony Edwards picked up his 16th technical foul of the season vs. the Lakers.
He was ejected from the game and will be suspended for the Wolves' next game. pic.twitter.com/VNp842z0G2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2025
This is a fortunate game to pick to trigger this suspension, as the Timberwolves’ next game is against the 14-44 Utah Jazz. However, this puts tons of pressure on Edwards to stay out of trouble with the referees going forward, as more technicals could lead to more suspensions.
The Timberwolves can’t afford to be without Edwards, who’s averaging 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. The franchise has a 32-27 record and is occupying the No. 8 seed. They’re just half a game behind No. 6, so stacking wins to reach a guaranteed playoff seed will be their goal.
The Wolves weren’t looking great against the Lakers, with Edwards leading them in scoring with 18 points (6-12 FG), six rebounds, and five assists before his ejection.
A loss tonight will worsen their record to 32-28, putting them half a game behind the No. 7-seeded Golden State Warriors and a full game behind the No. 6-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. It will drop them to No. 9 in the standings, as the Dallas Mavericks also have a 32-28 record and have tiebreakers over the Wolves and will take their spot.
The game against the Jazz is a must-win for the Wolves without Edwards, as they can’t afford to let matchups like that slip. The West Playoff race is cutthroat right now, and the Timberwolves need to maximize every win they can get while shorthanded without Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle currently.
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