Full Breakdown
Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch and Referee Tony Brothers Clash in Game 3
5/9/2026, 9:55:04 PM
The Heated Confrontation in Game 3
With just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch asked for a timeout while the Timberwolves trailed 102-100. Referee Tony Brothers delayed the call by three seconds, prompting Finch to step onto the court and demand, “I want my three seconds back.” Brothers then walked toward the Timberwolves’ huddle, and the two exchanged words. After Finch asked where the inbound would be taken, Brothers again approached, leading Bones Hyland and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni to physically hold the official back. Play resumed and the Spurs ultimately won 115-108, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Series Context and Recent Officiating Scrutiny
The incident followed a back-to-back night of referee disputes, after Los Angeles guard Austin Reaves labeled a separate exchange with official John Goble “disrespectful.” The Timberwolves now trail the San Antonio Spurs, who captured their first road win of the series.
Key Participants
- Chris Finch – Timberwolves head coach, vocal about officiating.
- Tony Brothers – Veteran NBA referee, entering his 32nd season with 216 postseason games, including 19 NBA Finals.
- Anthony Edwards – Timberwolves guard, team-leading 32 points, who later defended Brothers.
- Victor Wembanyama – Spurs forward, 39 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks, pivotal to the win.
Timeline of the Incident
| Time (remaining) | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:12 (some reports 5:09) | Finch requests timeout. |
| 5:09 | Brothers finally grants timeout after a three-second delay. |
| 5:07-5:05 | Finch confronts Brothers, repeats “I want my three seconds back.” |
| 5:04 | Brothers walks toward the Timberwolves’ huddle; Finch asks about inbound location. |
| 5:02-5:00 | Hyland and Prigioni intervene, holding Brothers back. |
| 4:58 onward | Play resumes; Spurs close out the game. |
Game Data
Official Reactions
Finch labeled Brothers’ conduct “completely unprofessional” in his post-game press conference, citing the delayed timeout and a subsequent “screaming” exchange. Edwards responded, “Competition at the highest level… Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him,” downplaying the drama. No formal NBA statement was reported in the sources.
Criticism and Counterpoints
Finch’s criticism centered on an alleged intentional delay that “almost cost us a turnover.” By contrast, Edwards and other players framed the episode as a normal, albeit heated, part of playoff competition, emphasizing respect for the veteran official.
On-Court Intervention
Players Bones Hyland and staff member Pablo Prigioni physically restrained Brothers, preventing a direct face-to-face confrontation between coach and referee.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact time remaining when Finch called the timeout (5:12 vs. 5:09). Additionally, the league’s official response, if any, was not documented in the available reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pretty unprofessional, huh?” — Chris Finch, Timberwolves head coach
- “I wanted the timeout. I had called it three seconds earlier and I wanted the timeout. I said, ‘I want my three seconds back,'” — Chris Finch
- “He lost it.” — Chris Finch
- “Then I went to ask him where the ball was going to be taken in and he screamed at me for that.” — Chris Finch
- “Competition at the highest level. We wanna win. Finchy wanna win. Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him.” — Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves guard
Looking Ahead
Game 4 is scheduled for the following night, with the Spurs holding a 2-1 advantage. The league may review the incident as part of broader scrutiny of officiating conduct after two consecutive playoff nights of referee-coach confrontations.
