- Anthony Edwards scored 43 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead his team
- The Minnesota Timberwolves are 5-0 in these playoffs after sweeping Phoenix
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The TNT commentary team and fans watching Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves were furious after Anthony Edwards received a technical foul for staring at an opponent.
The Timberwolves’ poster boy received a technical foul in the third quarter when he simply stared at Denver’s Reggie Jackson after making a layup.
The call resulted in a protest that began with former NBA player Reggie Miller in the commentary booth.
“That’s just a look,” Miller exclaimed. “Come on, that’s a bad technician.”
“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 for “staring” at a player.
In the third quarter of Game 1 against the Nuggets, Edwards stared down 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, noting how “horrible” the decision was.
Fans also reacted on social media, with users saying, “That’s really sad” and calling the NBA “incredibly soft.”
“Fire the referee instantly,” suggested another. ‘Anthony Edwards went on a 7-0 run alone and lost momentum with that. I can’t have it.’
‘Gentle. Let the men play, express some emotions,” added a fourth. “There’s no punching going on.”
A fifth fan added that “the NBA is literally unwatchable…JFC.”
However, 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 moved the Timberwolves to 5-0 in these playoffs after sweeping the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
TNT’s Reggie Miller let his feelings be known about how bad the technical decision was
Jamal Crawford also echoed Miller’s sentiments during the TNT broadcast of the game.
His incredible turnaround put Edwards alongside Kobe Bryant as the only players with consecutive 40-point postseason performances at age 22 or younger.
“Facing the best player in the world is always fun,” Edwards said of facing Nikola Jokic after the game. “Playing against the best team in the world is always fun.”
“Like I said, 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 did a good job of game planning the three (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. scored 14 points and ten assists in Minnesota’s victory.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in his losing effort.
While Edwards had a night to remember, The Joker nearly had a triple-double with 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray scored 20 and 17 points, respectively.
As for the T-Wolves, Karl Anthony Towns scored 20 points, while veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. scored 14 points and ten targets. Naz Reid also came off the bench to score 16 points and help Minnesota to the victory.
The series will resume Monday night with Edwards and Minnesota holding a 1-0 lead heading into Game 2.