“I Did What I Did” Anthony Edwards Reveals Why He Walked to Spurs Bench Before Game 6 Even Ended

Anthony Edwards headed toward the opposing sideline with more than eight minutes still showing above Target Center as the building emptied into uneasy silence.

Minnesota trailed by over 30 points during Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals when Edwards exchanged handshakes with players and coaches from San Antonio during a timeout after the 139 to 109 loss on May 15. Fans near the lower bowl had already started filing into concourses as the final stretch dragged forward.

Questions exploded across television coverage and social platforms moments after the interaction appeared on national broadcasts. Edwards later made clear he had no interest in letting the night spiral into another debate surrounding playoff etiquette.

“I feel like everybody has their own opinion,” Edwards said while responding to reactions surrounding the exchange. The All Star guard explained he preferred handling respect his own way rather than waiting for the final horn after the score already drifted beyond recovery.

Disappointment settled heavily across the downtown arena as defensive breakdowns kept widening the margin through the second half. Driving lanes opened repeatedly, and every empty possession seemed to pull more energy from spectators.

Edwards understood how the moment could appear from outside the building. He admitted he briefly considered avoiding postgame greetings entirely before deciding that choice would likely trigger louder reactions afterward.

“I didn’t want to dap them up at all, but then what would they be saying about me?” Edwards said. “It would have been a whole other conversation.”

That sequence created an unusual playoff image inside Minneapolis. One of the franchise’s biggest stars calmly moved toward the other side during live action as thousands stayed frozen in their seats watching the collapse unfold.

Players and coaches from Gregg Popovich’s roster returned the handshakes immediately after Edwards arrived near their chairs. Competition resumed moments later with the scoreboard still badly tilted.

Edwards eventually addressed criticism surrounding the timing by acknowledging many people expected him to wait until the closing seconds disappeared. He still showed little interest in reshaping the gesture simply to satisfy outside expectations.

“That’s why I’m me and y’all are whoever y’all are,” Edwards said after the defeat. The remark deepened frustration surrounding a night already carrying visible exhaustion throughout Minnesota’s locker room.

Playoff eliminations usually close with quick embraces after celebrations erupt and defeated rosters slowly disappear through tunnel entrances. Edwards abandoned that rhythm entirely, choosing acknowledgment early as disappointment settled over Minneapolis and the season slipped away in full view of the home audience.