Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem Question Anthony Edwards Shaking Spurs Players' Hands During G6 Loss
Dirk Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem disapproved of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards seemingly conceding his team's Friday night elimination loss by heading to the San Antonio Spurs' bench to shake their hands while the fourth quarter of Game 6 was still ongoing.
The Timberwolves were eliminated from the second round with a 139-109 loss eight minutes of game time later.
"I've watched the NBA and been a part of it for a long, long time. I've never seen this... too much for me," Nowitzki said Friday night on NBA on Prime. "Obviously, you can do that after the game, show plenty of respect. That was a little strange for me."
Haslem added: "As great as Ant is as a basketball player, there's still some growth for him as well, because as a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hand.
"As a leader of my troops and my guys, I would not show that weakness. The game is not over. I got eight minutes left. I still got smoke coming out of my ears because I'm so damn mad we're losing."
Haslem added, "I don't think, if they would've beaten San Antonio, [Victor Wembanyama] would've went down there and shook his hand with eight minutes left. I don't think so— think? I damn sure know Wemby wouldn't have went down there and shook his hand."
The Wolves were trailing by more than 30 points with eight minutes left on the clock when Edwards crossed the court to congratulate the Spurs.
"At that point, you know you ain't going back in, so you're just trying to get them respect they deserve," Edwards said when asked about that bench visit after the game.
This marks the third straight year the Wolves have been eliminated in a blowout loss, dating back to consecutive conference finals defeats by the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Wolves will now fall short of the conference final for the first time in three years after losing Donte DiVincenzo to an Achilles injury in the first round. Edwards was also playing through a knee injury he said Friday "got better over the course of the series."
