Referees ruined Lakers vs Timberwolves matchup: Anthony Edwards ejection, free throws galore, and more

The Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves matchup in the NBA was marred by officiating issues causing fan outrage.

Referees ruined Lakers vs Timberwolves matchup: Anthony Edwards ejection, free throws galore, and more

Questionable refereeing called out in Lakers vs Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves were set for a primetime NBA showdown featuring two of the brightest young stars, Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic. With both teams battling for playoff position in a competitive Western Conference, the stage was set for an intense matchup. Unfortunately, the night was a referee-dominated spectacle that left the players, coaches, and fans frustrated.

From questionable foul calls to a controversial ejection, the officiating took center stage. Veteran officials Brent Barnaky, James Williams and Brandon Adair overshadowed an expected thrilling game. While both teams were affected by the whistle, the Timberwolves bore the brunt of the poor officiating, particularly with the way Edwards was removed from the game in the third quarter.

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Anthony Edwards’ ejection was the defining moment of the game. It started innocently enough, with the Wolves’ star engaging in a bit of heated banter with his former teammate Jared Vanderbilt in the first half. The referees saw it differently, slapping Edwards with his first technical foul.

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Then, in the third quarter, frustration boiled over when he hit the floor on what he believed was a missed foul call. He voiced his displeasure to the officials, and just like that, Edwards was hit with his second technical and ejection. This was also his 16th technical foul this year, the most by any player so far, which will trigger a fine and an instant suspension for his next game. But things only got worse from there.

To make matters worse, instead of heading straight to the locker room, Edwards lingered on the court before tossing the ball into the stands. Along with the suspension, he faces a $5,000 fine for reaching the technical foul limit and additional fines for his ejection. However, perhaps the most egregious issue with the officiating was the free throw disparity in the game.

Lakers dominate Timberwolves from free-throw line after questionable refereeing

The officiating throughout the game was incredibly questionable, with a number of ‘phantom’ fouls being called. This led to a constant stop-and-start affair on the court. The two teams shot a combined 72 free throws, making for a highly boring affair for viewers. What enraged fans even more, perhaps, was the immense free-throw disparity between the two teams.

The Timberwolves shot 26 free throws, which wouldn’t be so bad, except the Lakers went to the charity stripe almost twice that number. The Lakers shot a total of 46 free throws in the game, 23 of which came in the 4th quarter, with an unreal 29 personal fouls being called against the Timberwolves.

One of the most egregious instances of the refereeing emerged online during the game in a clip of Austin Reaves being fouled at the 3-point line for three free throws.

Replays of the foul showed Reaves rising up for the shot, with practically no contact made to his arms by the defender Jaylen Clark. Yet, the foul stood on the floor, earning the Lakers another visit to the charity stripe. Despite Anthony Edwards’ ejection, the game nearly went down to the wire, with the Lakers keeping the Wolves at bay with a 111-102 victory.

Chris Finch continues battle against Referees after Lakers matchup

After the game, the Timberwolves had had enough. Edwards’ ejection and the free-throw disparity all boiled over into a tense postgame media session. Wolves head coach Chris Finch, who has had his fair share of run-ins with referees this season, was visibly frustrated.

Don’t try to bait me into talking about the officiating. It is what it is on a nightly basis.

Chris Finch told reporters

This wasn’t the first time Finch has voiced concerns about officiating. Just days earlier, following a close win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, he publicly criticized the way fouls were called against his team, particularly how aggressive defenses like Oklahoma City’s seemed to get away with more contact.

Chris Finch’s frustration had also boiled over last month in a game against the Phoenix Suns, where he was ejected for calling the referees “bozos,” according to the NBA’s pool report. Now, after the Lakers game, it seems like tensions between the Wolves and officials have only escalated further.

For Minnesota, this loss stings not just because of how it played out but because of the effect on the standings. A win today may have allowed the Wolves to climb to the 6th spot and outside the dreaded play-in tournament. However, the loss saw them drop down to the 8th seed, with the Golden State Warriors overtaking them with a thunderous win over the Orlando Magic.