The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to beat the Golden State Warriors on the court, and that involves some gamesmanship off the court.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch told the media on Wednesday that Minnesota has sent a bunch of video clips to the NBA’s league office. The Timberwolves pointed out to the league the kind of overboard physical treatment Rudy Gobert received during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between Minnesota and Golden State.
“They look like pulling linemen with the shots they’re taking on Rudy,” Finch said of what the Warriors did to Gobert in Game 1 on Tuesday night, via reporter Jon Krawczynski.
“They do a lot of fouling, shoving, holding, pushing and tackling Rudy. That’s clear. We sent a bunch of those clips into the league. In fact, I’m not sure I know another player with Rudy’s pedigree that is allowed to be physically beaten on the way he is.”
Finch on Rudy: "They do a lot of fouling, shoving, holding, pushing and tackling Rudy. That’s clear. We sent a bunch of those clips into the league. In fact, I’m not sure I know another player with Rudy’s pedigree that is allowed to be physically beaten on the way he is."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) May 7, 2025
Golden State took the first game of the series 99-88. The Warriors outrebounded the Timberwolves 50-41. Gobert had 9 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
It’s clear that Minnesota is trying to prime the officials in order to receive more favorable calls in Game 2, which is scheduled to be played on Thursday in Minneapolis. The Warriors are expected to be without Steph Curry for at least the next few games. The absence of Curry should give the Timberwolves a better shot of winning.
