Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was ejected midway through the first quarter of Friday’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after erupting at officials over a non-call on forward Julius Randle.
Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch Launches Tirade At Refs
Randle was battling for the putback near the rim with 6:19 to play in the first quarter when Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein appeared to hit him on the arm.
There was no whistle blown on the play, resulting in the Timberwolves losing possession. As Randle threw his arms in the air, Finch leaped out onto the floor and started screaming at crew chief Courtney Kirkland.
Coach Finch crash out.
He’s been ejected less than 6 minutes in.
pic.twitter.com/egUIRt3bhf— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) December 20, 2025
Upon receiving one technical foul, Finch continued his diatribe against Kirkland and needed to be restrained by his assistant coaches, resulting in another technical foul and the ejection.
However, Finch did not immediately leave the court, continuing to give Kirkland a mouthful. The Target Center crowd was also revved up over the controversial no-call.
Finch Talked Non-Calls After OT Win In OKC
Finch already has an extensive history of criticizing the officiating in matchups with the Thunder.
Following Minnesota’s 131-128 overtime win at Oklahoma City on Feb. 24, Finch made his feelings known after the Wolves overcame a 25-point deficit in the second half.
“It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton. They really do,” he said. “They foul. And they foul all the time. And then you can’t really touch Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]. It’s a very frustrating thing, and it takes a lot of mental toughness to play through it.”
Assistant coach Micah Nori took over for Finch after the ejection.
Anthony Edwards Hit The Go-Ahead 3-Pointer
Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards, who returned from a three-game injury absence, finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in 40 minutes of action.
Edwards also hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.5 seconds left to lead Minnesota with a 112-107 victory over the Thunder (25-3), who lost for the second time in three games after starting 24-1.
Julius Randle had 19 points on just 3-for-15 shooting, but his missed free throw after a make with 53 seconds remaining allowed the Wolves to retain possession down by two and set up Edwards for his game-winner.
Edwards then grabbed a defensive rebound to set up two free throws by Randle and stole the ball from Gilgeous-Alexander on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.
Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each scored 15 points, and Rudy Gobert had 14 rebounds for the Wolves (18-10), who the Thunder eliminated in five games of the Western Conference finals last spring.
The Timberwolves host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
