Anthony Edwards' attorney has released a statement about what he calls the Denver Police Department's "inexplicable" decision to charge him with misdemeanor assault following Tuesday's final playoff game.
Harvey Steinberg says video confirms Edwards picked up a chair that was in his way and put it down three steps later. Steinberg says he did not swing the chair at anyone and did not intend to hurt anyone.
Two security guards claimed they were struck by the chair. Police have said there were no injuries.
Steinberg’s full statement reads:
“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. Despite these innocent facts, the Denver Police Department inexplicably chose to charge Anthony with two counts of misdemeanor assault. Anthony intends to vigorously defend against these baseless charges.”
Meanwhile, Timberwolves management is standing by their star player. General Manager Tim Connelly talked about the incident in the team’s season ending press conference Thursday.
“Emotions are going to run high and there's going t be moments where you can lose it,” explained Connelly. “We can't be a ‘lose it’ team. Specific to ANT, I think you won't find a guy with a bigger heart. You won't find a guy that cares more. I think for his age, he's unbelievably mature, both on and off the court. But we're going to hold him to such a high standard because we know that his peak is so, so high.”
Connelly says he's confident Edwards will carry the team to success in the future and they're not concerned about this particular incident.
According to the Denver Police Department, two women who were working the game at Ball Arena claim they were struck by the chair as Edwards spun it in his arms. The police say they suffered injuries during the incident but those injuries were not specified. Edwards has a court appearance on scheduled for June 9 in Denver.
According to police documents, Edwards was cited for misdemeanor third-degree assault, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury.
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