Lawyer for Wolves’ Edwards says assault charges baseless, chair was in player’s way
The attorney for Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said his client will “vigorously defend” himself against misdemeanor third-degree assault charges for allegedly swinging a folding chair and injuring two Denver arena employees after the series-ending loss to the Nuggets.
Harvey Steinberg, the attorney for Edwards, issued a statement Thursday through the Timberwolves that criticized the Denver Police Department’s decision to “inexplicably” charge Edwards after Game 5.
“With the game over, Anthony’s exit from the court was partially obstructed by a chair, which he moved and set down three steps later. As video of the incident confirms, Anthony did not swing the chair at anyone and of course did not intend to hurt anyone,” Steinberg said. “Anthony intends to vigorously defend against these baseless charges.”
Several videos posted to social media by fans at Ball Arena for Denver’s 112109 win Tuesday appear to support Steinberg’s claim that the alleged contact with the staffers that was caused by the chair was inadvertent on Edwards’ part after he missed the tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer and jogged off the court in frustration. The floor seats are particularly close to the pathway to the tunnel that leads to the locker room.
The injuries reported by the employees were not serious, Denver police spokesman Jay Casillas said. Edwards was cited for two misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault, defined as “knowingly or recklessly” causing bodily injury. He is scheduled for a court appearance on June 9.
Edwards did not participate in the season-ending news conferences Thursday at team headquarters. General manager Tim Connelly and head coach Chris Finch declined to comment on the incident.
n 76ERS: The Philadelphia 76ers still aren’t saying if Joel Embiid will be able to return from a sprained right knee and play next week in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The 76ers completed a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, providing a great opportunity for Embiid to rest up. Embiid, an NBA MVP finalist, missed Game 4 with the knee injury. He has yet to practice ahead of Monday’s Game 1 against Boston.
Coach Doc Rivers said Thursday that Embiid was at a doctor’s exam while the team practiced at its New Jersey facility.
“I’m just going to wait,” Rivers said. “They’ll call me later and we’ll see where he’s at.”
n CLIPPERS: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has a meniscus tear in his right knee, although his surgically repaired right ACL is intact.
The team had said Leonard sustained a right knee sprain after playing in the first two games of the Clippers’ first-round loss to Phoenix but didn’t provide further details.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP had an MRI in Los Angeles after Game 2, which showed the tear, according to Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations.
“Regardless of the treatment, Kawhi will be ready for next year,” Frank said Thursday.
The team has yet to decide on a course of treatment, he said. Rest or surgery are among the wide range of treatments for the common knee injury.