By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves grappling with a frustrating sense of inconsistency following the NBA’s decision to deny Anthony Edwards’ challenge regarding his ineligibility for the season-end awards.
Despite playing 61 games in the 2025-26 Regular Season, only 60 of his appearances met the league’s strict 20-minute criteria. The ruling has sparked a sharp rebuke from head coach Chris Finch, who questioned the validity of an appeals process that granted exceptions to other stars while leaving the 24-year-old guard in the cold.
“It sure would be nice to hear an explanation as to why Anthony was denied his 65 games, particularly when you look at the history of Anthony, who plays all the time and has played all the time,” he said. “I’m not sure why we have a rule if we have an appeals process that is overturned in two-thirds of the cases that were held before it. It feels more like a suggestion than a rule.”
Anthony Edwards’ appeal of the NBA’s 65-game rule was denied. Chris Finch would to know why, especially given that Edwards is a player “who plays all the time.” pic.twitter.com/VIGyacPfDS
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 16, 2026
The sting was magnified by the successful appeals of Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic. Meanwhile, the Slovenian superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers took to X to express his gratitude to the NBPA and the NBA for a ‘fair decision’, specifically citing the league’s flexibility regarding time taken for the birth of his daughter in December.
I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and…
— Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) April 16, 2026
However, Doncic has focused on his recovery. Currently sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, he was spotted courtside in Movistar Arena during Round 38 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season on Thursday for a matchup between Real Madrid and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet. While in Spain, he has been undergoing specialized regenerative therapies to accelerate his return.
Though the Ljubljana native is expected to miss a large chunk, if not all of a best-of-seven series between the Lakers and Houston Rockets in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, he is expected to return to Los Angeles for re-evaluation as the postseason begins.
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