Referee controversy rocks Spurs game as bench explosion leaves many stunned

Chris Finch is often seen interacting with referees and sharing his displeasure over some officiating decisions. The Game 3 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs in Minneapolis gave him another moment of frustration involving the officials.

During the game, referee Tony Brothers had to be physically restrained by players on two separate occasions in the final quarter after appearing to move aggressively toward Finch. The tension first started with around five minutes left on the clock, when Finch tried to call a timeout to organize a late offensive set. 

However, the timeout was not granted until 5:09 remained, and it frustrated Finch, who stepped onto the court in protest. Brothers also seemed to take exception and later approached the Timberwolves bench, and a heated exchange of words followed.

The second incident occurred shortly after, as Finch later explained that he was simply trying to ask where the ball would be inbounded from. However, Brothers again moved toward him in an intense manner, and it ultimately caused another verbal confrontation that had to be defused.

"I said I want my 3 seconds back,” Finch addressed the situation following the game. “He lost it. Then I went to ask him where the ball was gonna be taken in and he was screaming at me for that. So completely unprofessional behavior by him.”

The on-court drama also saw an already difficult night for the Timberwolves, as they fell 115-108, giving the Spurs a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Both teams are now set to meet again for Game 4 on Sunday evening in Minneapolis, and tensions are likely still running high after the heated Game 3 finish.

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