NBA fines Timberwolves coach Chris Finch $35,000 after courtside outburst
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The NBA on Sunday fined Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch $35,000 for using “inappropriate language” toward officials and for not exiting the floor promptly after being ejected during Friday night’s 112-107 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Finch was tossed with 6:19 left in the first quarter at Target Center. The coach erupted when Julius Randle drove to the basket against 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein and failed to draw a foul. Finch chased referee John Butler downcourt, drawing an initial technical, then confronted the rest of the crew during the ensuing stoppage and received a second technical that triggered the automatic ejection.
Assistant coaches and team security restrained Finch before he finally headed to the locker room to loud cheers from the Minneapolis crowd.
In Finch’s absence, assistant coach Micah Nori guided Minnesota the rest of the way. Star guard Anthony Edwards and Nori later said the head coach’s emotion helped fuel the Timberwolves, who handed Oklahoma City its third loss of the season.
The incident followed repeated complaints by Finch this season about the officiating in games involving the reigning NBA champions, frustration that boiled over on Friday.
Source: ESPN
