Timberwolves Coach Responds To Series Being Rigged Against Lakers
Timberwolves Coach Responds To Series Being Rigged Against Lakers
The first-round playoff series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers has heated up both on and off the court, with officiating becoming a contentious topic. Following the Timberwolves’ Game 4 victory (116-113) at Target Center that gave Minnesota a commanding 3-1 series lead, Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed frustration about several key calls in the final minutes.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch responded to these complaints with a measured perspective during his Tuesday media session. Rather than engage in a back-and-forth about specific calls, Finch emphasized the inconsistent nature of officiating throughout the playoffs, suggesting that focus on refereeing distracts from the actual gameplay.
“I mean, listen, any series, any possession, any time down the floor, if you’ve watched this playoffs, there’s a foul that’s called or not called,” Finch said, per Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“That’s just the way it’s been. I don’t feel the need to have any hand-wringing about missed calls right now. We’ve not made this series about any calls, any whistles or any things that have gone against us or for us – even when they started Game 1 and they didn’t call a foul on the Lakers for 20 minutes, which is unheard of.”
LeBron disagreed with the refs when he fouled Ant:
“Hand is part of the ball, that’s what they say.” pic.twitter.com/5lbBpTU0Dq
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 27, 2025
Two specific incidents have drawn the most attention:
- A potential missed call when Lakers’ Luka Doncic appeared to trip over Jaden McDaniels in the final minute
- A late-game review where LeBron James was found to have hit Anthony Edwards‘ wrist, resulting in crucial free throws for the Timberwolves star
Despite the foul disparity in Game 1 (Timberwolves 21, Lakers 10), Minnesota still secured a decisive 117-95 victory at Crypto.com Arena. This outcome seems to reinforce Finch’s philosophy that teams must develop resilience against officiating variance rather than fixating on individual calls.
The controversy highlights a common playoff pattern—teams facing elimination often scrutinize officiating more intensely. The Lakers, now with their backs against the wall, must win three consecutive games to advance.
For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards continues to be a difference-maker, with his ability to draw fouls and convert free throws proving critical in tight situations. The Timberwolves’ mentality reflects their coach’s approach: focus on controllable factors rather than officiating decisions.
As the series moves forward, this officiating narrative adds another layer of drama to an already intense playoff matchup. The Timberwolves appear poised to advance with their 3-1 lead, while the Lakers must quickly regroup both mentally and strategically to extend their NBA playoff journey.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
