Chris Finch Ejected After Heated Dispute With Officials in Wolves-Thunder Game
In a tense matchup on Friday night, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was ejected during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident occurred with 6:19 left in the quarter, following a sequence where Anthony Edwards drove to the basket but missed his shot.
Details of the Ejection
The situation escalated when Finch drew the officials’ attention away from Edwards, who was visibly upset over not receiving a foul call. His actions led to a technical foul, and shortly after, a second technical foul was called, resulting in his ejection.
Emotional Reaction
Finch exhibited a strong emotional response and had to be restrained by his assistant coaches from confronting the referees directly. This incident marked only the second time Finch has been ejected since taking over as head coach of the Timberwolves in 2020.
Previous Ejections
- First ejection occurred in late January of the previous season.
- Finch received two technical fouls during a third-quarter game against the Phoenix Suns.
Officiating Crew
Finch’s ejection took place under the supervision of veteran NBA official Courtney Kirkland, who served as the crew chief. He was joined by referee Nick Buchert and umpire John Butler during this crucial Western Conference game.
Leadership Transition
Following Finch’s ejection, Micah Nori, the Timberwolves’ top assistant coach, stepped in as the acting head coach. Nori has been recognized as a suitable candidate for head coaching positions in recent hiring cycles, showcasing his capability to lead the team effectively.
This incident highlights the intense emotions often present in high-stakes NBA games, particularly during close contests like the Timberwolves versus Thunder matchup. Fans are left wondering how the team will respond in the wake of Finch’s heated exit.
