NBA Fines Anthony Edwards $35,000! Timberwolves Win on a Buzzer-Beater! Was the 3-for-1 Trade Worth It?

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards found himself at the center of controversy after the team’s recent matchup against the Sacramento Kings, where he was caught flipping off a fan during the game. As a result, the NBA announced a $35,000 fine for Edwards’ unsportsmanlike gesture. The penalty, though steep, didn’t seem to faze the rising star too much—until it showed up in his bank account. Social media humorously dubbed the moment as Edwards waking up to an "Alipay notification" of a $35,000 deduction.

The fine might have weighed on Edwards' mind early in the Timberwolves’ subsequent game against the Phoenix Suns. In the first half, Edwards seemed uncharacteristically passive, taking just five shots and scoring only 4 points with 4 assists. His impact on the game was so minimal that he posted a -16 plus-minus at halftime. However, Edwards managed to bounce back after the break, erupting for 13 points in the third quarter to help the Timberwolves close the gap.

Still, the night belonged to Julius Randle. With the Timberwolves’ usual stars struggling early, Randle shouldered the offensive burden and came through when it mattered most. In a thrilling conclusion, he drained a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, lifting the Timberwolves to a nail-biting 120-117 victory over the Suns. Randle finished with a stellar stat line of 35 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, posting a +16 plus-minus to highlight his overall impact.

The dramatic victory has many Timberwolves fans reevaluating the blockbuster offseason trade that sent longtime franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. In exchange, the Timberwolves acquired Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a future first-round pick. At the time, the deal drew widespread criticism from fans and analysts who believed the team had dismantled its core without a clear path forward. But after performances like this, Randle is proving his worth in Minnesota.

In addition to Randle’s heroics, Edwards bounced back in the second half to finish with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. DiVincenzo, another key piece from the Knicks trade, chipped in 15 points, including five three-pointers. This performance was a welcome sight for Timberwolves fans, as DiVincenzo had been in a shooting slump, going just 4-for-20 from beyond the arc in his previous four games combined.

The Suns, despite the loss, had something to celebrate: Devin Booker looked like his old self again. Booker poured in 44 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, nearly single-handedly carrying the Suns to victory. This outburst was a significant rebound for Booker, who had struggled to find his rhythm earlier this season. Coming into the game, Booker had five straight outings where he failed to score more than 20 points, averaging just 22 points per game—his lowest output in seven years.

The Suns started the season strong, even holding the top spot in the Western Conference for a stretch. However, their momentum has stalled since Kevin Durant went down with a calf injury. In Durant’s absence, the Suns have gone 1-4, with their lone win coming against the struggling Utah Jazz, a team seemingly more focused on securing the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.

While Durant’s injury undoubtedly hurts, the Suns' struggles highlight a larger issue: the team’s overreliance on its superstar trio of Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal. Beal, who is the Suns’ highest-paid player, has yet to consistently deliver the kind of performances expected of a max-contract player. If the Suns hope to contend for a championship, Beal and Booker will need to step up and carry the load alongside Durant.

As for the Timberwolves, their gamble on the offseason trade appears to be paying off. Randle’s ability to thrive in clutch moments gives Minnesota a reliable secondary option alongside Edwards. DiVincenzo’s contributions as a sharpshooter and the future first-round pick also provide the team with flexibility to continue building its roster.

This win against a formidable Suns team underscores the potential of this revamped Timberwolves squad. With Edwards continuing to ascend into superstardom and Randle proving his worth as a key contributor, Minnesota may have found a formula for sustained success.

While it’s still early in the season, games like this demonstrate why the Timberwolves’ front office was willing to part ways with Towns. Randle’s buzzer-beater was a moment of validation—not just for the trade, but for the Timberwolves’ belief in their new direction.