When Mama says, “Keep your emotions in control,” we should listen to her. You may wonder, why are we preaching suddenly? Well, thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Sacramento Kings game, we got to learn a few things. But first, never flip off the crowd like Anthony Edwards did.

His emotions got the best of him, we know that. He had a point to prove to the T-Wolves HC Chris Finch for taunting Antman as a “soft” player. Moreover, the energy and aggression in the game fueled the sentiments in the arena. Consciously or subconsciously, it’s unclear, but Anthony Edwards gave the finger to the referee to release his frustration from being stuck in traffic. Many thought the gesture was for the home crowd but that wasn’t the case.

Standing in Sacramento‘s home arena, it was undoubtedly a bold gesture by the 23YO. But now we have the consequences. NBA Vice President Joe Dumars announced a $35K fine on Anthony Edwards for his “obscene gesture on the playing court.” The league penalized the hooper for his boldness, which was unacceptable despite being a show of defiance towards the opponents—breaking the code of conduct.

The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar will now have to pay the lump sum as a result of his aggression. There’s no denying that the game that unfurled at Golden 1 Center on November 15, displayed the power and grit Antman holds as a player. He succeeded in overshadowing De’Aaron Fox’s mammoth 60-point game and snatched away a win that at one point seemed impossible. But, there’s never a place for profanity in sports.

What happened in the last 3:15 of the first quarter that made Anthony Edwards flip off so hard?

There’s a massive difference between the Timberwolves of 2023/24 and the Timberwolves of the 2024/25 season. Last year, Karl-Anthony Towns was there to assist or take the lead for Minnesota. Even then, Anthony Edwards was at the helm of the team’s plans. But, with KAT gone, the team struggles to adjust to life without him. With a 7-6 record in the 13 games, Chris Finch has lots to work on with his new roster. Now, coming back to Golden 1 Center, Antman’s gesture came as a surprise to many. So, what happened?

In Friday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Anthony Edwards drove into traffic with 3:15 left in the first quarter. Meanwhile, he ran into three Kings players, including Jordan McLaughlin. Trying to pass, Edwards collided with McLaughlin and was called for a charge. Frustrated, he flipped off the referee. Thus, the NBA fined him $35,000 for the outburst.

This is the first time the league has fined Edwards for something during a game. However, the league has disciplined him before. He has been fined for criticizing refs. And, after the Timberwolves lost to the Nuggets in the 2023 playoffs, the league fined him $50,000 for swinging a chair that hit two people.

Emotions do get the best of us at times. However, the unexpected reaction Anthony Edwards expressed was truly surprising. Therefore, the $35,000 fine is a reminder that even in the heat of the moment, players must control their actions. Despite the setback, Edwards continues to shine on the court. But in sports, respect and composure always come first.