Anthony Edwards leaves Timberwolves bench during blowout loss in Atlanta

Frustration boiled over for Anthony Edwards on Wednesday night.

The Timberwolves star left the bench and headed to the locker room during a timeout late in Minnesota’s 126-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, a move that head coach Chris Finch said should not have happened.

Edwards’ exit came with 7:52 remaining after Finch pulled his starters with Atlanta up 109-80. As the timeout began, Edwards tossed his towel and walked off the bench without permission.

He did not return and declined to speak with reporters afterward.

“Obviously frustrated with the performance and rightfully so,” Finch said, via The Associated Press. “But he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team.”

The outburst overshadowed another big scoring night for Edwards, who finished with 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting in 33 minutes.

The All-Star guard entered the game eighth in the NBA in scoring at 29.1 points per game and remains the focal point of Minnesota’s offense.

It was also the second straight game in which Edwards’ emotions became part of the story. He was ejected in overtime of the Timberwolves’ loss at Denver last Thursday after arguing foul calls, despite pouring in 44 points before exiting.

Wednesday’s game carried added weight for Edwards, an Atlanta native who played in front of friends and family, including his grandfather.

Instead, it ended with Minnesota trailing by nearly 30 and its star walking off in visible frustration.