Good news for Minnesota Timberwolves fans: Anthony Edwards will be available for their game against the Utah Jazz. The NBA has decided to remove the technical foul called against Edwards in Friday`s game versus the Brooklyn Nets.
Initially, this technical foul put Edwards in danger of suspension. He had already accumulated 17 technical fouls this season. Reaching 16 technical fouls triggers an automatic one-game suspension, with further suspensions for every two additional technical fouls.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Nets game. Edwards was called for a foul while defending Keon Johnson. He protested the call, asking the referee about the foul, and official Ray Acosta issued a technical foul immediately.
However, reactions to the call suggested it was a very minor offense.
Edwards explained to reporters that he questioned the foul call, asking where it was, and received the technical. He expressed hope that the league would review and overturn the technical, allowing him to play.
He also mentioned his good relationship with referee Ray Acosta and their discussion after the incident, while maintaining his belief that the technical foul was undeserved.
The Timberwolves` game against the Jazz is very important for their playoff positioning. Currently seventh in the Western Conference, they have the potential to move up to fourth or fall to eighth depending on the outcome of their final regular season game and other results. The team is in a tight race with several other Western Conference teams.
The outcome against Utah will determine if the Timberwolves secure a guaranteed top-six seed in the playoffs, thus avoiding the play-in tournament.
Jasper Hawthorne