Dirk Nowitzki was stunned by Anthony Edwards’ decision to congratulate the San Antonio Spurs before the final buzzer of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff elimination loss.
The moment came with the Timberwolves already getting blown out in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinals series.
Edwards appeared to accept the result early, but Nowitzki did not think the timing sent the right message from a franchise player.
Anthony Edwards’ gesture leaves Dirk Nowitzki stunned
As NBA New York shared, Dirk Nowitzki criticized Edwards for walking over to the Spurs’ side while there was still time left in the game.
“I’ve watched the NBA & been a part of it for a long long time. I’ve never seen this. A guy walking into the huddle with 8 minutes to go in the 4th and dapping up the entire team,” Nowitzki said.
The Timberwolves were down big at the time, and Edwards knew he was not going back into the game.
Still, Nowitzki’s issue was not with showing respect. It was with doing it before the final buzzer.
For a former MVP and champion, that crossed a line. The postgame handshake is part of playoff respect, but doing it mid-game made it look like Edwards had already waved the white flag.
Timberwolves exit made Edwards leadership question louder
Minnesota was eliminated after a 139-109 loss to San Antonio, with the Spurs winning the series 4-2.
Edwards led the Timberwolves with 24 points, but he struggled badly with efficiency, shooting 9-of-26 from the field and finishing with only two rebounds and two assists.
The game was already out of reach when Edwards went over to the Spurs’ bench. He later explained that he was simply trying to give San Antonio the respect it deserved because he knew his night was over.
That explanation may make sense from a sportsmanship angle, but it did not satisfy critics. Udonis Haslem also ripped the move, arguing that Edwards should have stayed locked in with his teammates until the game officially ended.
That is why the criticism turned into a leadership debate. Edwards is the face of the Timberwolves, and even in a blowout, the expectation is that he keeps fighting beside the group until the final possession.
Nowitzki’s reaction made that point clear. Respect can wait until the buzzer. Leadership, especially in an elimination game, cannot.
Read more:
