Chris Finch Fined $35K After Heated Ejection, But Timberwolves Rally Behind Their Coach
Friday night’s matchup between the Timberwolves and the Thunder took a sharp turn early, and it wasn’t just about the action on the court. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch was ejected midway through the first quarter after a fiery exchange with officials - and now, the NBA has handed down a $35,000 fine for what it called “directing inappropriate language toward game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner.”
It was a rare emotional outburst from Finch, who’s generally known for his calm demeanor. But this time, the frustration boiled over.
According to those on the scene, it took a combination of assistant coaches and arena security to hold him back after the ejection. The tipping point?
A no-call during a possession where Finch believed both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were fouled - grabbed, hit, and left without a whistle.
Finch didn’t speak to media postgame, but he addressed the incident at the team’s Saturday practice. And he didn’t back down from the emotion he showed on the sideline.
“I wanted to make my point,” Finch said. “I thought early on, the tone was being set in the wrong direction, and I wanted to set about trying to change things.”
That message clearly resonated. Despite losing their head coach just minutes into the game, the Timberwolves regrouped and responded with resilience. Finch gave credit where it was due - to his players and staff - for locking in and pulling out the win.
“All credit to the guys. They really responded, picked up the pieces,” Finch said.
“The staff did an incredible job navigating that game. The most important thing is we got the win and that our guys responded and played well over the last three and a half quarters.”
This marked just the second ejection of Finch’s coaching career, and it left an impression on his players - especially Julius Randle, who didn’t hold back in praising his coach’s fire.
“I don’t know what image he’s projected to y’all. I don’t know what they’re seeing, but Finchy is a hell of a competitor,” Randle said. He even called the outburst “top tier.”
Conley Set to Return vs. Bucks
In other Timberwolves news, veteran point guard Mike Conley has been upgraded to available for Sunday’s game against Milwaukee. Conley has missed the last four games while dealing with right Achilles tendinopathy, but his return gives Minnesota a steady hand at the point as they continue to jockey for position in the Western Conference.
Edwards Reflects on Olympic Experience
Anthony Edwards continues to evolve into one of the league’s brightest young stars - and a growing leader within the Timberwolves locker room. In a recent sit-down with Shams Charania, Edwards credited his experience with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics for helping him grow in that role.
“Just seeing like everybody got their own way of leading,” Edwards said. “You gotta learn how to talk to everybody. Some guys you can be super hard on and some guys you’ve got to pull to the side and talk to them one on one.”
Edwards also spoke about how watching Stephen Curry’s relentless work ethic up close gave him a new perspective on what it takes to be great - not just as a player, but as a leader others follow.
Garnett Returns in Ambassador Role
And finally, a familiar face is back in the Timberwolves family. Kevin Garnett, the franchise’s all-time great, will rejoin the organization as a team ambassador. It’s a significant step, especially considering the long-standing tension between Garnett and former owner Glen Taylor.
While the two never formally reconciled, Taylor expressed nothing but respect for Garnett’s return.
“I always thought he should be there,” Taylor said. “That he wanted to wait until now is fine.
It’s his decision. Overall, I like the guy, respect the guy, and I’m happy for him.”
It’s a feel-good moment for the franchise and its fans - a bridge finally being rebuilt with one of the most iconic figures in Timberwolves history.
From Finch’s fire to Edwards’ growth and Garnett’s homecoming, there’s a lot happening in Minnesota. And with Conley back in the mix, the Wolves are heading into the heart of the season with momentum - and unity.