- - 'Frustrated' Anthony Edwards leaves bench early during loss to Hawks

Mark Giannotto, USA TODAYJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:03 AM

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'Frustrated' Anthony Edwards leaves bench early during loss to Hawks

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards didn't have the homecoming he hoped for during a New Year's Eve game against the Atlanta Hawks, and he made it obvious with a premature exit.

Edwards left the Timberwolves bench and the court at Atlanta's State Farm Arena during the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 126-102 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday, Dec. 31 after coach Chris Finch elected to pull the team's starters. Edwards' departure, in the midst of a timeout with 7 minutes, 52 seconds remaining and Atlanta leading by 29 points, was unplanned and unapproved, Finch confirmed afterwards.

"Obviously frustrated with the performance and rightfully so, but he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team," Finch told reporters.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

">Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

Edwards, an Atlanta native who played one season at the University of Georgia before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, declined to speak to reporters following the game. He had a team-best 30 points against the Hawks. He reportedly had friends and family at the game, including his grandfather.

Anthony Edwards threw his towel during a timeout and went to the locker room with 7:52 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter 😬 pic.twitter.com/oIIx7n1l3k

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 1, 2026

Edwards was also ejected in overtime of Minnesota's 142-138 loss at Denver on Christmas day for arguing calls at the end of a 44-point performance. The Timberwolves have lost three of their past four games heading into Saturday's game at the Miami Heat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Edwards leaves bench early during Timberwolves loss to Hawks

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