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Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Minnesota Timberwolves sensation Anthony Edwards was called for two technical fouls and ejected during a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and now faces a one-game suspension. Edwards drew his 15th and 16th technical fouls of the season in the second and third quarters of the 111-102 setback Thursday in Los Angeles.
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"He's got to be better," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters, when asked about Edwards. "He's gotta be better. He's had too many outbursts. I think a lot of them are deserved.
"They're going to miss some calls from time to time, for sure. He's gotta be better. We've been talking to him about it. It's on him."
NBA rules stipulate that players get a one-game ban once they receive their 16th technical of a season. That punishment increases by one game for every additional two technical fouls they earn.
Edwards, who threw the ball into the stands of Crypto.com Arena after his second technical, also could face a hefty fine.
The All-Star guard earned his initial technical when he exchanged pushes with Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt at the end of the first quarter. Vanderbilt also received a technical for his role in the skirmish.
The Lakers led 74-59 when Edwards picked up his final technical with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter. Edwards dribbled over the 3-point arc at the start of the sequence. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent was defending him on the play. Edwards eventually stopped his dibble, but fell on the floor. He appeared angry that he didn't receive a foul call from referees.
Edwards held the ball while on the floor and complained to referees. He continued the delay before tossing the ball in the stands.
Referee James Williams said in a pool report that Edwards received the second technical for "directing profanity towards the game official."
Edwards recorded 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Guard/forward Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Timberwolves with 25 points off the bench.
Lakers forward LeBron James scored a game-high 33 points. He also chipped in 17 rebounds and six assists. Lakers guard Luka Doncic totaled 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
The Timberwolves trailed by as many as 23 points, rallied in the fourth quarter to tighten the game, but could not complete their comeback. They outscored the Lakers 53-19 off the bench and 23-8 on fast breaks, but never held a lead. The Lakers out-rebounded the Timberwolves 52-41 in their fourth-consecutive victory.
The Timberwolves (32-28) will take on the Utah Jazz (14-44) at 9:30 p.m. EST Friday in Salt Lake City. The Lakers (36-21) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (32-26) at 10 p.m. Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
