Anthony Edwards fined $40,000 for multiple jabs at referees

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 by the NBA after criticizing the official on Monday.

Edwards was unhappy with what he thought were multiple non-calls during a 107-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, calling the referees “bad” and “terrible” for not awarding him multiple trips on the free throw line.

“The cat had its tongue tonight, so it’s all good,” Edwards said of the refs. “It’s not fair, but it’s okay.”

Edwards, who added that he felt like the Timberwolves were playing “8-on-5,” said he doesn't think he gets the same respect from the officials as other stars in the league.

In announcing the fine Wednesday, the NBA said Edwards was sanctioned for “publicly and repeatedly criticizing referees.”

Edwards clearly expected to pay for his comments, saying in his postgame on-court interview on the Timberwolves telecast: “I'm going to take the fine, because the refs didn't call us that evening.”

Information from ESPN's Tim MacMahon was used in this report.