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Anthony Edwards’ biggest controversies to date: Exploring Minnesota Timberwolves star’s newsmaking incidents

Minnesota Timberwolves' star Anthony Edwards, despite his young age, frequently finds himself embroiled in controversies. He faced a $40,000 fine for a homophobic rant on Instagram in 2022, later apologizing for his hurtful words. Edwards has also been involved in multiple paternity lawsuits, including those with Ayesha Howard and Alexandria Descroches.
Anthony Edwards’ biggest controversies to date: Exploring Minnesota Timberwolves star’s newsmaking incidents
Anthony Edwards’ biggest controversies to date: Exploring Minnesota Timberwolves star’s newsmaking incidents (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Anthony Edwards is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star point guard, only 23 years old, but living a life full of controversies that make him an interesting personality. Mostly criticized for having a filthy mouth, he is often entangled in verbal wars on the court. Sometimes, even fans are not spared and are served with NSFW comments and gestures. Apart from his basketball life, Edwards’ personal life is often mired in controversy.As the Timberwolves’ point guard recently settled one of his paternity disputes with ex-girlfriend Ayesha Howard, let’s take a look at Edwards’ top controversies that made headlines.

September 2022: Anthony Edwards fined $ 40,000 for a homophobic rant on Instagram

Edwards crossed the line while describing a group of men in one of his posts in September 2022. His words were downright demeaning and offensive, and were anti-gay, which hurt the sentiments of several people. The Minnesota Timberwolves expressed ‘disappointment’ over the players’ selection of words and issued a statement:
“We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media. The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many."Anthony Edwards later apologized for his words and tweeted:“What I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry. It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!”
Anthony Edwards’ social media post caused a stir among fans and the basketball fraternity, establishing him as a controversial figure.

June 2023: Cited for third-degree assault after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs

Anthony Edwards swung a chair at the arena employees in frustration after a loss to the Denver Nuggets in one of the playoffs. His action caused injury to the employees. Though not serious, he was asked to make a court appearance in June 2023.
Denver Nuggets arena employees pressed charges against him for causing injury. Edwards’ lawyer defended him saying that he did not aim chair at anybody, and that he merely moved the chair that was on his path. Consequently, the criminal charges against him were dropped in July 2023.

2024-2025 season: Fined on multiple occasions for various reasons

The 2024-2025 season saw a very bratty side of Anthony Edwards, and he was slapped with fines on multiple occasions for bad-mouthing and unacceptable behavior. Here is the list of fines and the reasons for which he was fined:
  • $50,000: Edwards made obscene gestures towards game officials
  • $50,000: He made a vulgar gesture and comment to the Lakers’ fans

T'wolves' Anthony Edwards fined $50K for inappropriate fan interaction in Game 1
  • $100,000: For using profane language on a live TV interview
  • $75,000: For public criticism of officiating

August 2024: Made disrespectful comments on NBA legends

Anthony Edwards drew the wrath of NBA legend Magic Johnson by passing audacious remarks on past players. Edwards' comment was, “They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then. [Michael Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean?"
Anthony Edwards - Shocking Comments On Old School Players: Legends Fire Back At Rising Star!
The comment did not sit well with many NBA seniors, including Magic Johnson, who addressed the comment later in an interview with Stephen A. Smith and said, “I never respond to a guy who’s never won a championship.” Johnson also emphasized, “Don't attack all the old-school guys when you haven’t done your homework,” as mentioned in The Pinnacle Gazette’s report dated March 19, 2025.

Feb 2025: Gets into a paternity battle with Ayesha Howard, a social media influencer

The social media influencer and star, Ayesha Howard, alleged that Anthony Edwards asked him to abort the child when she revealed that she was pregnant with his child. He refused to take the responsibility of the child, and that led to a bitter paternity battle. The paternity lawsuit got settled in April 2025, according to a report by the Daily Mail, dated April 9, 2025.
Ayesha Howard Responds to Rumors Anthony Edwards Paid Her $1M Up Front in Child Support
The ruling of the case was that Edwards agreed to grant temporary, full custody of their five-month-old daughter to Ayesha. Various reports circulated, which claimed that Anthony Edwards paid $1M upfront as child support to Ayesha, though she refuted the claims and said that this part was still unresolved.

April 2025: A report on Anthony Edwards facing another paternity dispute with Alexandria Descroches surfaces

Anthony Edwards' ex-flame, Alexandria Descroches, filed a lawsuit in March 2024, claiming him to be the father of her one-year-old boy. She filed the lawsuit in New York where she resides. In response to this lawsuit, Edwards filed another case in Georgia claiming it to be the correct area of jurisdiction. He allegedly told her ‘not be messy’, as per the report dated April 26,2025, published by a tabloid, Hot New Hip Hop.
Paternity lawsuits by Ayesha Howard and Alexandria Descroches are the most prominent ones among the other relationships that Edwards had. He allegedly had multiple relationships and is believed to have fathered three daughters and one son from different women. Edwards has been officially in a relationship with Shannon Jackson since 2020 and they co-parent a daughter. Shannon, unfazed by Edwards’ paternity battles, was last seen supporting him from the courtside recently.Also Read: Anthony Edwards reveals his secret pregame rituals and a heartfelt promise to a fan: “I’d wear it the rest of my career”What are your thoughts on Anthony Edwards being a controversy child? Share your views in the comments.
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