Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Rally After Chris Finch Ejection Sparks Fire in Win Over Thunder
Friday night in Minneapolis had all the makings of a statement game - and the Timberwolves delivered one with grit, fire, and a little bit of chaos. Minnesota outlasted the reigning Western Conference champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a 112-107 thriller, but the biggest jolt of energy didn’t come from a dunk or a dagger three. It came from head coach Chris Finch getting tossed just six minutes into the game.
Finch, clearly frustrated with the early officiating - particularly the lack of calls going Minnesota’s way - let the referees hear it. He didn’t just raise his voice; he crossed half-court to make his case, a move that quickly earned him an ejection. It was a bold moment, and it lit a fire under his team.
Anthony Edwards noticed.
“I’m f***ing with that. That’s my dawg.
I was happy,” Edwards said postgame, pulling no punches when asked how he felt about Finch going to bat for the team. “I wasn't happy that he got thrown out of the game, but I was happy… If I would've saw him going back at the ref, I probably would have held him back, but I didn't see it in time.”
That reaction tells you everything you need to know about the bond between this team and its coach. Finch’s outburst wasn’t just about a single call - it was about setting a tone. And the Wolves responded.
“I’m f*cking with that. That's my dawg."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 20, 2025
Anthony Edwards reacts to Chris Finch’s ejection 😅
(via @SneakerReporter)pic.twitter.com/PLcqDt24E6 https://t.co/eSpktI7xaJ
Edwards led the way with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t just the numbers - it was the timing. He hit the go-ahead three late in the fourth, a cold-blooded shot that gave Minnesota a one-point lead and ultimately sealed the win. In a game full of momentum swings, that moment stood tallest.
Naz Reid summed it up best when he said the ejection “flipped the script.” And he’s right.
Finch’s fire seemed to shift the energy in the building and in the huddle. Minnesota didn’t just hold their own - they took it to one of the best teams in the league.
It’s also worth noting that Finch has previously voiced concerns about how the Thunder - and specifically Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - get officiated. That context adds another layer to what happened Friday night. It wasn’t just frustration boiling over - it was the culmination of something deeper, and the Wolves clearly took it personally.
Now, with this emotional win in their back pocket, the Timberwolves turn their attention to Sunday’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. And while they’ll hope Finch sticks around for the full 48 this time, there’s no doubt his early exit on Friday sent a message - to his players, to the refs, and maybe to the rest of the league.
This Timberwolves team? They’ve got bite.