The crux of the controversy emerged when Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch publicly condemned referee Tony Brothers for what he characterized as "completely unprofessional behavior" during Game 3 of their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. The incident, which transpired with approximately 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves' 115-108 loss, involved a heated exchange between Finch and Brothers over a delayed timeout.
Finch recounted that he had signaled for a timeout earlier than when it was ultimately granted, and upon receiving it, he told Brothers, "I want my three seconds back." According to Finch, Brothers initially appeared to acknowledge him but then proceeded with the play before confronting Finch.
The situation escalated to a point where Timberwolves players, including Bones Hyland, and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni, intervened to de-escalate the interaction, physically separating Brothers from Finch. Reports suggest that Brothers had to be "held back." Finch reiterated his disappointment, stating, "He looked my way, ignored me, went on with the play…"
Read More: Bobby Cox, Braves Manager, Dies at 84 on Saturday May 9 2026
This latest confrontation adds another layer to Finch's ongoing critiques of the officiating in this series. Following Game 1, Finch had expressed dissatisfaction regarding the lack of foul calls against Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, specifically concerning goal-tending and illegal blocks. Wembanyama was a dominant force in Game 3, scoring 39 points, while Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards contributed 32.
The San Antonio Spurs now hold a 2-1 series lead over the Timberwolves.
