Udonis Haslem reacts to Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards dapping up Spurs bench mid-game

The Udonis Haslem strongly criticized Anthony Edwards after the Minnesota Timberwolves star was seen dapping up members of the San Antonio Spurs bench during Minnesota’s 139-109 Game 6 loss Friday night in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Speaking during Prime Video’s postgame coverage, Haslem questioned the Timberwolves’ mentality and leadership habits following the lopsided defeat.

“You would think a team that has been there, they would have those habits so the fact that they don’t have those habits is very disappointing to me… The playoffs has a way of revealing of what’s inside you and I didn’t like what I saw from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ant was definitely hobbled, DiVincenzo was out, but some of the things that I saw, I didn’t like.”

Edwards finished with 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals while shooting 9-for-26 from the field and 2-for-7 from three-point range across 36 minutes. Despite his production, the Timberwolves were unable to keep pace with San Antonio, which controlled the game throughout the second half.

Haslem focused specifically on Edwards interacting with the Spurs bench while the game was still ongoing, saying he viewed it as the wrong message from a team leader.

“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 hands. I would not have walked down there and shook their hands with 8 minutes left in the game. As a leader of my troops and my guys, I would not have shown that weakness. The game is not over, I’ve got 8 minutes left, I’ve still got smoke coming out of my ears because I’m so damn mad that we [are] losing. Let me calm down for those 8 minutes since I’m not in and after those 8 minutes I’ll go down there and congratulate them and their coaching staff.”

"As a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands … with 8 mins left."

Udonis Haslem gives his opinion on Anthony Edwards shaking the Spurs' hands with 8 minutes left in the fourth

(via @NBAonPrime) pic.twitter.com/ICks3zJrnd https://t.co/nSvnOg6kAT

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 16, 2026

Haslem questions Edwards’ leadership habits after interaction with Spurs bench mid-game

Haslem continued by emphasizing the importance of maintaining competitive intensity throughout the game.

“But in the middle of the game, when I’ve got guys that sat the bench and cheered me on… Na, I’m a sit there and cheer those guys on. Put that energy back into those guys and then when the game is over, i’ll go over there and shake their hands. That’s just the way I handle things. I’m a little bit different, a little bit old school. I understand it’s a different generation but I don’t think if they were beating San Antonio, Wemby would’ve went down there and shake their hands with 8 minutes left… I damn sure know Wemby wouldn’t have went down there and shake their hands.”

Haslem concluded by praising Edwards’ talent while stressing the importance of leadership development.

“I love Ant as a basketball player, I love where he’s going to be as a basketball player. But as a leader, the next few steps he needs to make are little small details and things like that because other people on your team and those guys are always watching you and they’re following you whether you know it or not.”

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