On New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards exited the Timberwolves’ bench during a late timeout and did not return, as the Wolves fell 126-102 to the Atlanta Hawks. Edwards finished the night as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 30 points on 10-for-18 shooting in 33 minutes. The unscheduled departure came with 7:52 remaining while the Hawks led 109-80, and coach Chris Finch said afterward Edwards should have stayed on the bench. The episode follows an overtime ejection in Denver one week earlier when Edwards scored 44 points.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony Edwards scored 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including three 3-pointers, in 33 minutes during the 126-102 loss in Atlanta.
- Edwards left the bench during a timeout with 7:52 left while the Hawks led 109-80; the exit was unplanned and not approved by the team.
- Coach Chris Finch said Edwards ‘should have remained on the bench,’ stressing the expectation that players support teammates from the sideline.
- The incident is the second notable early exit for Edwards in a week; he was ejected in overtime in a 142-138 loss at Denver after scoring 44 points earlier in that game.
- Before the Atlanta game Edwards ranked eighth in the NBA, averaging 29.1 points per game.
- Edwards had friends and family in attendance, including his grandfather; the game was played in Atlanta, his hometown, and at the University of Georgia’s backyard.
Background
Anthony Edwards entered the season as the Timberwolves’ primary scoring option and has produced high-volume offense, sitting among the league’s top scorers with a 29.1 points-per-game average prior to the Atlanta matchup. His on-court intensity has been a defining trait: it fuels scoring but has occasionally led to confrontations and disciplinary moments, most recently an ejection in Denver after arguing foul calls following a 44-point performance. The Timberwolves, coached by Chris Finch, rely heavily on Edwards’ scoring to complement Karl-Anthony Towns and the team’s offensive schemes, so his availability and demeanor are matters of both performance and team chemistry.
Games in Atlanta carry personal resonance for Edwards, an Atlanta native and former University of Georgia star, who had family and friends — including his grandfather — at State Farm Arena for New Year’s Eve. That context can amplify emotions for players and generate heightened attention from local media and fans. The Timberwolves’ management and coaching staff balance the benefits of Edwards’ aggression with the need for discipline and composure late in games, especially when leads shrink or losses become likely.
Main Event
Late in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves’ 126-102 defeat, the Hawks held a 109-80 lead and coach Chris Finch signaled a substitution of starters. During the timeout with 7:52 remaining, Edwards left the Minnesota bench area and walked onto the court, tossing his towel before exiting. Team staff and league protocol did not endorse that departure; it was described as unplanned and not approved by the coaching staff.
Edwards completed 33 minutes of action and led Minnesota with 30 points, converting 10 of 18 field-goal attempts and drilling three 3-pointers. Despite his scoring output, the game was not close in the final stretch, and Edwards declined to address reporters after the contest. Finch addressed the matter to media members, saying Edwards should have stayed with the team on the bench and continued to support teammates.
The incident occurred one week after Edwards was ejected in Denver in overtime after a 44-point night; that earlier ejection came amid an argument over foul calls and drew league attention. Together, the two exits in a short span have raised questions about how the Timberwolves will manage star behavior during lopsided games and high-emotion situations.
Analysis & Implications
From a roster-management perspective, Edwards’ tendency to leave the bench or be ejected presents a trade-off. His scoring lifts Minnesota’s ceiling on any given night, but absences and avoidable infractions reduce the team’s ability to close games and maintain rotation stability. Repeated incidents increase the risk of fines, suspensions, or internal discipline, which would directly impact the Wolves’ playoff positioning and depth usage.
Coach-player dynamics are also at stake. Finch’s public admonition that Edwards should have remained on the bench signals the coaching staff’s expectation for visible support even when the game is out of reach. How Finch and the front office handle follow-up conversations will affect locker-room cohesion: a private corrective approach could limit escalation, while a punitive or public path might deepen friction and invite media speculation.
Public perception matters for both Edwards and the franchise. As a high-profile young star averaging near 30 points per game, Edwards’ actions attract national attention; repeated disciplinary headlines can shift narratives from his scoring to questions of maturity. Conversely, if the team frames the episodes as teachable moments and Edwards responds by adapting his behavior, the long-term competitive impact could be minimal.
Comparison & Data
| Game | Points | Minutes | Result | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Atlanta (New Year’s Eve) | 30 | 33 | Loss 126-102 | Left bench with 7:52 remaining |
| At Denver (one week earlier) | 44 | Before ejection | Loss 142-138 (OT) | Ejected in overtime after arguing calls |
The table contrasts the two recent games that drew attention: the New Year’s Eve bench exit and the Denver ejection. Both contests were losses in which Edwards produced high scoring outputs, underscoring his on-court value even as situational behavior raised concern. The Wolves’ staff will weigh the pattern against Edwards’ offensive contributions when setting discipline and coaching expectations.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Finch addressed the incident directly in the postgame media availability, framing the exit as avoidable and stressing team support.
“Obviously frustrated with the performance and rightfully so, but he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team.”
Coach Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
Game coverage described the moment in plain terms, noting Edwards’ visible departure from the bench.
Edwards tossed his towel and left the bench during the timeout with 7:52 remaining.
NBA.com game recap (official report)
Unconfirmed
- Any formal discipline or fine from the Timberwolves or the NBA related to the New Year’s Eve bench exit has not been announced publicly.
- It remains unclear whether Edwards’ departure was discussed in detail with the coaching staff immediately after the game or handled privately at a later time.
- The precise exchanges that precipitated the bench exit, beyond visible frustration with substitutions, have not been corroborated by multiple independent sources.
Bottom Line
Anthony Edwards delivered another high-scoring performance but left the bench during a late timeout in Minnesota’s 126-102 loss at Atlanta on New Year’s Eve, a move coach Chris Finch said should not have occurred. The episode comes a week after an overtime ejection in Denver, creating a short-term pattern that the team must manage carefully to avoid on-court and disciplinary costs. How the Timberwolves handle follow-up — balancing corrective measures with support for a cornerstone scorer — will shape both immediate rotation decisions and longer-term team culture.
Fans and analysts should watch for any official team statement or league action and for Edwards’ demeanor in upcoming games; repeated incidents could alter availability or public narratives, while a measured response and behavioral adjustment could minimize long-term impact on Minnesota’s season.