The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped Game 3 to the San Antonio Spurs 115-108 on Saturday night, falling into a 2-1 series deficit in the Western Conference Semifinals. The loss stung, but it was a sideline confrontation in the fourth quarter that had head coach Chris Finch most fired up after the final buzzer.
Finch revealed that referee Tony Brothers approached him during a live stoppage late in the game, which he called a complete breach of officiating norms. According to Finch, Brothers initially refused to grant him a timeout he was owed, eventually did, and then confronted Finch after he asked for his three seconds back. The situation escalated to the point where players stepped in to physically hold Brothers back from the Wolves’ sideline.
“Completely unprofessional,” Finch said bluntly in his postgame remarks.
Anthony Edwards, who gutted out 32 points and 14 rebounds in the loss, kept his response measured but pointed. “Competition at the highest level. We want to win. Finchy want to win. Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him,” Edwards said, the dry delivery doing most of the talking.
Anthony Edwards on the confrontation: “Competition at the highest level. We want to win. Finchy want to win. Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him.”https://t.co/IySM6Fidv1 pic.twitter.com/xuM0jW7EVD
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2026
The incident adds another layer of tension to an already heated series. Minnesota now trails 2-1 with their backs increasingly against the wall. Victor Wembanyama was the story on the court, pouring in 39 points and pulling down 15 rebounds to carry San Antonio to the win.
The Wolves cannot afford another loss at home. Game 4 tips off Monday night at Target Center, with Minnesota’s season outlook shifting dramatically depending on the result. Expect the officiating conversation to carry into tip-off.
