The lawyer for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards has disputed the assault claims that he calls «unsubstantiated» following the team’s Game 5 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.
Edwards was charged with two counts of third-degree assault, Denver police confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, after two women said they were struck by Edwards, who was seen swinging a chair in frustration after the loss.
The two women worked at Ball Arena for the game, which knocked the Timberwolves out of the playoffs.
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Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves carries the ball up court against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 25, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
in a statement to Yahoo SportsEdwards’ attorney, Harvey Steinberg, spoke on Edwards’ behalf about the situation.
«With the game over, Anthony’s exit from the court was partially obstructed by a chair, which he moved and left three steps later,» the statement said. «As the video of the incident confirms, Anthony did not swing the chair at anyone and of course did not intend to hurt anyone.
«Despite these innocent facts, the Denver Police Department inexplicably chose to charge Anthony with two counts of misdemeanor assault. Anthony intends to vigorously defend himself against these baseless charges.»
T’WOLVES’ ANTHONY EDWARDS CITED FOR ASSAULT FOR ALLEGEDLY HITTING 2 WOMEN WITH A FOLDING CHAIR AFTER MATCH 5
The Denver Police Department told Fox News Digital: «Denver Police were informed that as Edwards was walking from the court to the locker room at the end of the game, he swung a folding chair and struck two women who were working at the time. Both women were injured, and the injuries were reported to be non-serious at the time.”
The Timberwolves also released a statement saying they were gathering more information about the incident.
Edwards’ departure from the court came after he hit the team’s final 3-pointer at the buzzer, which would have sent the must-have Game 5 into overtime. But Edwards, who missed all six of his 3-pointers that night, was unsuccessful and Minnesota’s season came to an end.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 5 of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets on April 25, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was a frustrating finish for the Timberwolves, who were back and forth with the Nuggets all game before Edwards’ final miss.
Edwards finished the night with 29 points on 13-of-27 shooting, though he went 0-for-6 from 3-point territory, including the shot at the final buzzer. He also had eight rebounds and seven assists with two blocks.
The 21-year-old earned his first All-Star nomination this season, averaging a career-high 24.6 points on 45.9% shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the regular season. .
He was even better in the series against the Nuggets, losing an average of 31.6 points per game with 5.2 assists, five rebounds, 1.8 steals and two blocks.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on February 10, 2023 in Memphis. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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Like last season, the Timberwolves were unable to advance past the first round.