Chris Finch Calls Referee Tony Brothers’ Sideline Confrontations “Completely Unprofessional”
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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said veteran official Tony Brothers acted “completely unprofessional” after the pair clashed twice late in Friday night’s 115-108 Game 3 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs.
With 5:12 left in the fourth quarter, Finch attempted to call a timeout to halt a disorganized possession. Brothers, standing near midcourt, did not acknowledge the request until the clock reached 5:09, prompting Finch to walk onto the floor in anger and demand, “I want my three seconds back.”
Brothers then approached the Timberwolves’ huddle and exchanged words with the coach before center Naz Reid intervened. Moments later, Finch returned to ask where the ball would be inbounded, and Brothers again moved toward him. Guard Bones Hyland and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni stepped between the two before the dispute subsided.
“He lost it,” Finch told reporters. “That’s completely unprofessional behavior.”
Star guard Anthony Edwards, who was standing next to Finch during the second exchange, downplayed the incident. “Competition at the highest level,” Edwards said. “We wanna win. Finchy wanna win. Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him.”
The confrontation came one night after Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves called a separate interaction with official John Goble “disrespectful” in Oklahoma City.
Slow start, strong finish for Spurs
Before the sideline drama, Minnesota missed its first seven shots and trailed 14-1 in front of a charged Target Center crowd. Edwards sparked a rally with 12 points in the final 2:08 of the opening quarter, and the teams were tied 51-51 at halftime. The Wolves still trailed only 102-100 when Finch called the disputed timeout.
San Antonio closed the game behind rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who delivered 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Minnesota collected 15 offensive boards and attempted 99 shots to the Spurs’ 85 but converted just 38 percent, struggling to finish over Wembanyama’s reach. Key scorers Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels combined to shoot 8-for-34.
The loss was Minnesota’s first at home this postseason and shifted home-court advantage back to San Antonio, which leads the Western Conference semifinal series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night in Minneapolis.
Source: ESPN
