NBA: Wolves’ Anthony Edwards apologizes for slur; team ‘disappointed’
Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP
The NBA could discipline Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards for homophobic language used in a video he posted to social media.
The video captured Edwards discussing a group of men he saw on the street. He used derogatory terms about them in the video, which was seen on Instagram Live and later deleted before it found its way to other social media sites.
Edwards, who turned 21 last month, apologized on Sunday.
“What I said was immature, hurtful and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry,” Edwards wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it at all. I was raised better than that!”
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, team president Tim Connelly apologized to the community.
“We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media,” the statement read. “The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many.”
The NBA has disciplined players in the past for anti-gay remarks.
In December 2015, the NBA issued a one-game suspension to Rajon Rondo, in part for an outburst at an official that included a homophobic slur.
In April 2021, the NBA fined Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant $50,000 for “offensive and derogatory language on social media,” which included an anti-gay slur.
The Timberwolves selected Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. In two seasons, he has career averages of 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 144 games (127 starts).
