OKLAHOMA CITY – Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch had some words for the officials after Sunday's 116-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards was cleared to play in a matinee on the road, Minnesota trailed in the final frame, where the Thunder outscored their opponent 36–27.
In the second half, the Thunder took a two-point lead amid a tough contest. Then, Edwards fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a 3-point play, turning Oklahoma City's 13-point lead into a 16-point lead. According to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza, he said, Finch did not back down from his complaint with the officials related to Edwards' serious foul on Gilgeous-Alexander.
"The first one was probably a foul. What was unfortunate was they called a little grab on the inbounds play. It's going on all over the place," Finch said. "I still maintain that he doesn't get as much respect defensively as he should. If you watch his guys play defense, they get caught a lot, which is OK. That's part of the game. Then, you call him out - take him straight out of the game - that was tough for us."
A reporter's follow-up question focused on Isaiah Hartenstein, who returned to the Thunder's lineup from a calf injury, and the starting center's impact from the top of the key, where he did his damage passing and setting screens.
“We fell behind them a little bit,” Finch said. "Back then, we weren't in a position to make emergency assists, you know. Had to struggle through those screens. We know he's a playmaker. That's what he does. Thought some of them were highly questionable whether they were legal or not, it didn't matter. Got to struggle and you had to miss them."
Edwards, who spent time in front of Gilgeous-Alexander all day, finished with 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting, including 2 of 5 from deep, six rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal against the Thunder.
Julius Randle, Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves fall short
While the final score between the Thunder and Timberwolves showed a 13-point difference, this Western Conference Finals matchup was much more competitive than the scores indicated. Anthony Edwards had a valiant all-around effort on both ends of the floor in the 127-117 win after his 40-point game. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch just wants his team not to fall behind.
However, the Thunder showed their depth around All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20 points) and Chet Holmgren (21 points), who combined to score 41 points, while Isaiah Joe scored 20 of the Thunder's 61 points off the bench. Alex Caruso added 17 points, and Jared McCain connected on five 3-pointers.
