Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been cited for third-degree assault after swinging a folding chair that struck two female Ball Arena employees as he was running to the team’s locker room. The incident occurred following the Timberwolves’ series-ending loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs.[1]
Edwards had just missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game at the buzzer. Instead, the Nuggets secured a 112-109 comeback win that ended the first-round series 4-1. While other players exchanged handshakes, the visibly frustrated Edwards ran off the court toward the Timberwolves’ locker room. A close-up video captured Edwards picking up a chair from the baseline seating area, spinning around with it still in his grasp, and then releasing it carelessly into a barrier as he jogged through the tunnel. Denver police allege that the blonde security guard shown in the video was struck on Edwards’ upswing, while the brunette worker was hit in the lower half once the chair was thrown. Both employees were reportedly injured and asked to file charges against Edwards. Luckily, neither woman suffered serious harm.[2]
The moment was briefly captured on the NBA TV broadcast; however, it was a fan’s cell phone footage that best shows what happened. Even from the fan’s point of view, it is hard to judge the impacts of the chair or immediate reactions to the contact. The Timberwolves responded to the allegations on Wednesday with a brief statement, essentially announcing that the team was aware of the matter and still gathering more information.[3]
Edwards’ attorney, Harvey Steinberg, also released a statement on behalf of his client. In an attempt to explain the situation, Steinberg declared that “with the game over, Anthony’s exit from the court was partially obstructed by a chair, which he moved and set down three steps later. As video of the incident confirms, Anthony did not swing the chair at anyone and of course did not intend to hurt anyone. Despite these innocent facts, the Denver Police Department inexplicably chose to charge Anthony with two counts of misdemeanor assault. Anthony intends to vigorously defend against these baseless charges.”[4]
Denver police purportedly stopped the Timberwolves team bus after the game to cite Edwards and delayed their departure from the arena. Third-degree assault is a class one misdemeanor in the state of Colorado and is defined as “knowingly or recklessly” causing bodily injury. Edwards is scheduled for a June 9 court date in Denver. If convicted, the charge carries a punishment of up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.[5]
Anthony Edwards, age 21, was selected first overall by the Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft from the University of Georgia. He was named to the 2021 NBA All-Rookie First Team and was elected as an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career this past season. Unfortunately, Edwards’ lapse in judgment came at the end of a breakout series where he averaged 31.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game against the first-seeded Nuggets. In the Game 5 loss, while facing elimination, the third-year pro had 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
This isn’t the first time Edwards’ on-court performance has been overshadowed by off-the-court conduct. In 2022, Edwards received backlash after posting a video on Instagram in which he used a homophobic slur. Edwards used his Twitter account to apologize, but he was fined $40,000 by the NBA.[6]
[1] https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/timberwolves-anthony-edwards-cited-assault-after-game-5-loss
[3] Id.
[5] https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36298813/wolves-anthony-edwards-cited-assault-game-5-loss
Photo Source:
Anthony Edwards – https://kdvr.com/sports/denver-nuggets/timberwolves-anthony-edwards-cited-assault-loss-nuggets/
3L JD/MBA at the University at Buffalo School of Law; BSELS Treasurer
Interested in a career at the intersection of law and business, particularly in sports.
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