TNT commentators tear into referees while fans fume at ‘literally unwatchable’ NBA after controversial technical on Anthony Edwards for STARING… but star still joins Kobe Bryant in the history books
- Anthony Edwards scored 43 points and had seven rebounds to lead his team
- The Minnesota Timberwolves are 5-0 in these playoffs after sweeping Phoenix
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The TNT commentary team and fans watching Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves were outraged after Anthony Edwards was given a technical foul for staring at an opponent.
The Timberwolves’ poster boy was whistled for a technical foul in the third quarter when he just stared at Denver’s Reggie Jackson after making a layup.
The call resulted in a protest that started while former NBA player Reggie Miller was in the commentary booth.
“That’s just a look,” Miller exclaimed. “Come on, that’s a bad technicality.”
“Man, we’re in the second round of the playoffs,” Miller added. “Emotions will always be high.”
Fans were left furious after Anthony Edwards was called for a technical foul for ‘staring’ at a player
In the third quarter of Game 1 against the Nuggets, Edwards stared at Reggie Jackson
Edwards led the Timberwolves to victory with 43 points, seven rebounds and two blocks
Meanwhile, Jamal Crawford and Kevin Harlan echoed Miller’s sentiments, pointing out how “terrible” the call was.
Fans also responded on social media, with users saying, “That’s actually sad,” and calling the NBA “incredibly soft.”
“Immediately fire ref,” another suggested. “Anthony Edwards made a 7-0 run on his own, but that killed the momentum. I can’t have it.’
‘Soft. Let the guys play and express some emotions,” a fourth added. “They don’t hit each other.”
A fifth fan added that the “NBA is literally unwatchable… JFC.”
Nevertheless, Edwards had a career night with 43 points, seven rebounds and two blocks to take a 1-0 lead over the defending champions. The win also moves the Timberwolves to 5-0 in these playoffs after defeating the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
TNT’s Reggie Miller made his feelings clear about how bad the technical call was
Jamal Crawford also echoed Miller’s sentiments during TNT’s broadcast of the game
His incredible shift placed Edwards alongside Kobe Bryant as the only players with consecutive 40-point postseason performances at age 22 or younger.
“Playing against the best player in the world is always fun,” Edwards said of the postgame against Nikola Jokic. ‘Playing against the best team in the world is always fun.’
“Like I said, man, they’re well-coached, they’re disciplined, they’re not going to beat themselves,” he said of the Nuggets. “And I think our coaching staff has done a good job planning the games over the three games [or] four nights we had and our guys came out and competed tonight.
“It’s not just about me, it’s about our team.”
Veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. had 14 points and ten assists in Minnesota’s win
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in their losing effort
While Edwards had a night to remember, The Joker nearly scored a triple-double with 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. scored. and Jamal Murray 20 and 17 points respectively.
As for the T-Wolves, Karl Anthony Towns came up big with 20 points, while veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. had 14 points and ten dishes. Naz Reid also came off the bench to score 16 points to help Minnesota to the win.
The series resumes Monday night with Edwards and Minnesota holding a 1-0 lead before Game 2.