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Timberwolves Coach Accuses Referee After Spurs’ 115-108 Win

5/10/2026

Summary

Finch Accuses Referee

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused referee Tony Brothers of unprofessional conduct after a timeout dispute in Game 3.
San Antonio beat Minnesota 115-108, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
The clash occurred at the Target Center with just over five minutes left, score 102-100, when Brothers delayed the timeout and allegedly screamed at Finch.
Video of the incident spread online and Finch said it will likely draw league attention.

Summary

Finch Ejected

Finch was ejected in December 2025 after a heated exchange with officials during an Oklahoma City Thunder game, showing a pattern of confrontations.
The Finch-Brothers clash was the second consecutive playoff night a coach or player confronted a referee, after Austin Reaves’ dispute with John Goble.
Naz Reid, Bones Hyland and assistant Pablo Prigioni physically held back crew chief Tony Brothers, an action reporters called bizarre.
Rudy Gobert urged calm, saying both men are “what, 60 years old? Relax a little,” highlighting internal de-escalation.
Analysts said the back-to-back disputes raise questions about NBA officiating oversight and possible stricter penalties.

Summary

Embiid Blames Bias

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers said the referees showed bias in Game 3.
He noted that the New York Knicks attempted 32 free throws while Philadelphia made only 16, giving the Knicks twice as many attempts.
Embiid added, “I guess it’s good when New York wins,” expressing his frustration with the perceived officiating tilt.

History

Historical Context

During the 2005-07 NBA seasons, referee Tim Donaghy bet on games he officiated, and 57 percent of those games exceeded expected scores, prompting an FBI probe revealed in July 2007 and his guilty plea on August 15 2007. Commissioner David Stern’s 2007 Board of Governors reforms tightened referee gambling bans, moved officiating announcements, and added training. The league’s oversight now frames today’s Finch-Brothers clash.

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Finch Accuses Referee

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused referee Tony Brothers of unprofessional conduct after a timeout dispute in Game 3.
San Antonio beat Minnesota 115-108, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
The clash occurred at the Target Center with just over five minutes left, score 102-100, when Brothers delayed the timeout and allegedly screamed at Finch.
Video of the incident spread online and Finch said it will likely draw league attention.

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