A Controversial Gesture in the Final Moments of a Game
NBA star Anthony Edwards has found himself at the center of a heated debate after a surprising decision during a game in the 2025-26 season. The Minnesota Timberwolves were trailing the San Antonio Spurs by 33 points with around eight minutes left in the fourth quarter when Edwards made a move that caught many off guard.
Rather than simply sitting on the bench, Edwards took it upon himself to approach the entire Spurs team and shake hands with both players and staff one by one. This gesture is typically reserved for the end of a game, where it is seen as a sign of sportsmanship and respect. However, making such a move with more than half a quarter remaining was unexpected and sparked criticism from some prominent figures in the NBA.
The postgame crew of ‘NBA on Prime’ were taken aback by Edwards’ actions, leading to a discussion about the appropriateness of his decision. Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Udonis Haslem, and Steve Nash all weighed in on the situation, with many finding Edwards’ behavior unusual.
Haslem, a former NBA player and current coach, expressed his surprise at the move. He stated, “As a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands.” He emphasized that showing such a gesture in the middle of the game could be perceived as a sign of weakness.
“I’ve got eight minutes left. I still got smoke coming out my ears. … Let me calm down for those eight minutes since I’m not in, and then after those eight minutes, I’ll go down there, and I’ll congratulate them and their coaching staff,” Haslem added.
He also mentioned that he would prefer to sit on the bench and cheer on his teammates during the final minutes of the game. “In the middle of the game, when I got guys that have sat on the bench and cheered me on (going into the game for garbage time)? No, I’m gonna sit there and cheer those guys on. I’m gonna put that energy back into those guys, and then when the game is over, I’ll go over there and shake their hand.”
Nowitzki, a Basketball Hall of Famer, shared similar sentiments. “I’ve watched the NBA and been a part of it for a long, long time. I’ve never seen this. A guy walking into the huddle with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and dapping up the entire team? Too much for me. Obviously, you can do that after the game and show plenty of respect.”
Griffin, another former NBA player, echoed these thoughts. “I’ve never seen that before.”
Edwards’ Explanation
After the game, Edwards addressed the situation, explaining that he had already decided he wouldn’t be returning to the court. “At that point, you know you ain’t going back in, so you’re just trying to get them respect they deserve,” he said.
His actions, while well-intentioned, have sparked a broader conversation about leadership, sportsmanship, and the expectations placed on NBA players. While some see his gesture as a genuine act of respect, others view it as an unnecessary display in the middle of a game that could be interpreted as a lack of focus or intensity.
This incident highlights the fine line between showing respect and maintaining the competitive spirit that defines professional basketball. As the league continues to evolve, moments like these will likely remain topics of discussion among fans, players, and analysts alike.
