In a game where the Minnesota Timberwolves needed every win they could get, their biggest nightmare nearly became a reality. Anthony Edwards, the heart and soul of their playoff push, went down in a way no one saw coming—by stepping on Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez’s foot. The Barclays Center crowd fell silent as he clutched his ankle, Timberwolves fans held their breath, and social media exploded with reactions. But in true Edwards fashion, the young star walked it off, returned to the court, and made sure Minnesota walked away with a massive win.
For a moment, it looked like the Timberwolves’ season might take a disastrous turn. Late in the second quarter, Edwards had just buried a corner three when, in an unexpected twist, he landed awkwardly on Fernandez’s foot on the sideline. He went down immediately, grimacing in pain, and had to be helped off the court. Given his importance to the team—especially in the razor-tight Western Conference playoff race—Minnesota fans feared the worst.
But if there’s one thing everyone should know about Edwards by now, it’s that he’s built differently. After an evaluation in the locker room, he reappeared for the second half and proceeded to torch the Nets. He finished with a game-high 28 points on a hyper-efficient 10-of-15 shooting, proving that not even an unexpected sideline hazard could slow him down.
Beyond Edwards’ heroics, the Timberwolves’ defense was suffocating. Rudy Gobert anchored the paint with 17 rebounds, and the Nets never found a rhythm offensively. Minnesota held Brooklyn to just 12 points in the fourth quarter, closing out a dominant 95-79 victory that kept them locked in a three-way battle for the sixth seed with the Clippers and Grizzlies.
NBA players twisting ankles on bad landings is nothing new, but stepping on a coach’s foot? That’s almost unheard of. Yet, it does happen. Just last season, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus missed six weeks after rolling his ankle in practice by stepping on a coach’s foot. And while courtside injuries are rare, they’re not exclusive to players—LaMelo Ball once injured himself stepping on a fan’s foot during a game.
The issue here wasn’t just bad luck. Fans immediately questioned why Fernandez was so close to the action in the first place. Head coaches usually give players space near the sideline, but Fernandez’s positioning sparked debate over whether stricter sideline rules should be enforced to prevent similar accidents.
Fans Rip Into Jordi Fernandez and the NBA
As footage of the incident spread, fans weren’t shy about calling out Fernandez—or the NBA’s sideline setup.
One fan asked what everyone was thinking:
“Weird place for Fernandez to be?”
Another took it even further, outright blaming the Nets coach:
“That’s inexcusable from Jordi Fernandez. Never in my life seen that before.”
The debate didn’t stop at Fernandez, though. Some fans turned their attention to the NBA’s court layout, arguing that such incidents should never happen in the first place.
“The NBA needs to increase the distance between the sideline and the bench IMMEDIATELY. That Anthony Edwards injury should never happen.”
And then, of course, there were the over-the-top reactions demanding immediate action.
“Brooklyn Nets coach should be ejected for injuring Anthony Edwards.”
While no one truly believes Fernandez had any malicious intent, the outcry highlights a real concern. Player safety is always a priority, and if a minor adjustment in sideline spacing can prevent unnecessary injuries, the league may need to take a closer look.
In the end, what could have been a season-altering disaster turned into just another chapter in the Anthony Edwards legend. He walked off an injury that might have sidelined other players, carried his team to victory, and sent a message to the rest of the West: The Timberwolves aren’t going anywhere.
But for the NBA? This might be a wake-up call. Coaches shouldn’t be in spots where they can unintentionally take out star players. And if this incident sparks a conversation about improving sideline safety, it won’t just be Timberwolves fans who are grateful Edwards walked away unscathed.
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