NBA Fines Edwards and Bane $25,000 Each
The NBA has fined Anthony Edwards and Desmond Bane $25,000 each for throwing the basketball at the opposite basket after the final buzzer in their respective games. The league's disciplinary action reinforces its rules on sportsmanship, even for post-game celebrations.
Anthony Edwards' fine stems from an incident at halftime during the Timberwolves' 124-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2026. After a missed shot by Portland at the buzzer, Edwards grabbed the rebound and threw the ball the full length of the court. A video of the event showed the ball appearing to hit an arena staff member. This is not the first time Edwards has been disciplined for such an action. Last season, he was docked $35,000 for not leaving the court in a timely manner and throwing the ball into the stands after an ejection. In total, he was fined $420,000 for eight different transgressions last season, mostly for profane language in postgame interviews. Desmond Bane's fine resulted from a similar act at the end of the Orlando Magic's 110-109 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on the same night. Following a missed game-winning shot by the Lakers, Bane secured the ball and hurled it down the court into the stands. Bane also has a recent history of unsportsmanlike conduct involving the game ball. In December, he received a $35,000 fine for throwing a ball at New York's OG Anunoby. Additionally, he was ejected from a game in November for throwing the ball at a prone Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks.
