Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch ripped into NBA officials for their foul calls, suggesting his players “start flopping too.”
Finch is currently coaching the Timberwolves in a Western Conference quarterfinals matchup against the rival Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets won Game 1 on Saturday by a score of 116-105, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The two teams meet in Game 2 on Monday night at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
One of the biggest reasons the Timberwolves lost the first game in the series was the discrepancy in free throws. As a team, the Timberwolves were 14-19 at the charity stripe. Meanwhile, the Nuggets were 30-33 at the line, including 16-16 from Nuggets guard Jamal Murray alone. The fact that Murray himself nearly shot as many free throws as the Timberwolves did as a team was not lost on Finch.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Game 2, Finch ripped the officials for their foul calls, suggesting that his players should flop to get more calls going their way.
He was asked tonight before Game about Murray’s free throw total, to which he had a long answer about officiating in the NBA today.
Finch ended his answer with, “maybe we ought to start flopping
“Chris Finch called Jamal Murray’s 16 free throws in Game 1 ‘a head-scratcher.’ He was asked tonight before Game about Murray’s free throw total, to which he had a long answer about officiating in the NBA today. Finch ended his answer with, ‘maybe we ought to start flopping too,'” wrote Timberwolves reporter Dana Moore on X.
Chris Finch Has Done a Terrific Job Coaching the Timberwolves
Finch was hired as the Timberwolves’ head coach in 2021, as he replaced the fired Ryan Saunders as the team’s bench boss. In his first season as the Timberwolves’ head coach, the team missed the postseason, but since then, they have made the playoffs in five straight seasons, advancing to the Western Conference finals the last two seasons. Overall, Finch has an impressive regular-season record of 258-193 as the head coach of the Timberwolves for a .572 winning percentage. He also has a 21-21 record in the postseason for an even .500 record as the team’s head coach.
While Finch has done well for the Timberwolves, it doesn’t mean his job is necessarily safe. The Timberwolves have a top-10 payroll, so winning is expected. While the team has had success in the playoffs in recent years, they have yet to make it to the NBA Finals, so it will be interesting to see how the team performs in the playoffs this year and if they can break through. If they fail to make a deep run this season, the team could consider making a change behind the bench.
Timberwolves Have a Talented Roster
Finch is coaching a very talented roster in Minnesota. The crown jewel of the team is, of course, superstar guard Anthony Edwards, who is one of the best players in the league. In addition, the team has valuable pieces such as center Rudy Gobert, power forward Julius Randle, wing Jaden McDaniels, guard Donte DiVincenzo, and bench stud Naz Reid among its top players. This deep roster, plus the typically excellent coaching prowess of Finch, is why the team could make a deep run in the playoffs if they stay healthy and have a bit of luck go their way along the way.
Chris Finch Rips Officials, Suggests Timberwolves ‘Start Flopping Too’