Anthony Edwards is racking up the fines in the NBA this season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star was docked $50,000 for making ‘obscene gestures toward a game official’ during a 127-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend.
That marked the fifth time Edwards has been fined by the league in recent months, with his total bill now up to an astonishing $285,000.
In November, Edwards was docked $35,000 for flashing his middle finger at a fan in Sacramento.
Three fines followed in December, which totalled $200,000.
The first, for swearing during a media interview, cost him $25,000.
He then picked up a $75,000 fine for ‘public criticism of officiating and using inappropriate and profane language’ and a $100,000 bill for swearing during a post-game TV interview.
While racking up over a quarter of a million dollars in fines through the first half of the season may sound like a lot, it’s unlikely the figure will really trouble Edwards.
He is in the first year of a five-year, $244.6million contract, which runs through the 2028-29 season.
According to figures from Spotrac, the Timberwolves star will earn $42.2m over the course of this campaign.
Edwards responded to his latest fine after it was announced by the NBA on Monday, January 13.
“I made a careless, young, dumb mistake, shooting birds,” the 23-year-old said.
“That has nothing to do with the refs at all. That’s all me mentally making a dumb mistake. I won’t do it again.”
Edwards, who is in his fifth NBA season, was subbed out with 2:25 remaining in the third period against the Grizzlies.
He was handed his league-leading ninth technical foul of the season while on the bench – and has since made a vow to improve his conduct.
“I ain’t getting no more techs, I ain’t saying nothing else,” he said with a grin.
Edwards had 15 techs last season.
His latest fine was announced ahead of Minnesota’s game against the struggling Washington Wizards, and the two-time All-Star went on to put up an impressive 41 points.
Edwards took control in the fourth quarter, where he scored 20 of his game-high haul, to help the Timberwolves secure a 120-106 win.
Minnesota have now improved to 21-18 on the season, and sit eighth in the Western Conference.
