current location:HOME > Sports News > Basketball Hub > Text content

Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert, Chris Finch fined for criticizing refs

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Basketball Hub105

Minnesota Timberwolves center RudyGobert has been fined $25,000 for his recent rant blasting theNBA's officials and how the Wolves are treated compared to otherteams. Meanwhile, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has also beenfined $15,000 for his own criticism of the NBA's officiating.

Gobert and Finch made their commentsfollowing the Timberwolves’ 107-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns onMarch 29 at Footprint Center.

"It's not fair. It's really not fair," Gobertsaid after Wednesday's game."Every night. I've been in this league for 10 years and I try toalways give the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard for me to thinkthey're not trying to help [the Suns] win tonight. It's hard for meto think they didn't try to help the Warriors win the other nightor the Sacramento Kings the other night. It's just so obvious. As abasketball player that's been in this league for so long, it'sdisrespectful."

Gobert accused the NBA of trying to ensure that certain starsqualify for the postseason.

"We understand that we're not the biggest of the markets andwe're a team that – I think you want to see KD (Kevin Durant) inthe playoffs, Steph [Curry] in the playoffs, you want to see LeBron[James] in the playoffs. The Timberwolves are not there yet."

"The biggest markets were always top of the (free-throw) list,but it's probably a coincidence," Gobert added sarcastically, witha smile.

Finch held back more than Gobert, but he did criticize thefree-throw discrepancy in Wednesday's game against the Suns andhint that the refs helped Phoenix out after head coach MontyWilliams' recent remarks about how the Suns were being officiated(which led to a $20,000 fine of his own).

“It works because tonight they went to the line 27times and we went to the line 12 times. Sitting up here and talkingabout it or whatever must have worked for them,” Finch said after the loss to theSuns.“Because this is a team that doesn’t historically drawfouls at the rate they did.”

The Timberwolves have reportedly been frustrated about howthey've been officiated for much of the season and it just happenedto come to a head on Wednesday.

Share with friends:

“Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert, Chris Finch fined for criticizing refs” ofrelated articles

2024 NBA Draft Lottery: Hawks get no.1; Wizards, Rockets, Spurs round out top 4

The Atlanta Hawks will have abig decision to make in the offseason after winning the jackpot inthe 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday afternoon.The Hawk...

2024 NBA Playoffs Day 15 Recap: Edwards shines as Minnesota stuns Denver

Anthony Edwards played the bestplayoff game of his young career and the Minnesota Timberwolvesstunned the defending champions Denver Nuggets on the ro...

Steve Kerr agrees to a two-year extension with the Warriors

Golden State Warriors head coachSteve Kerr has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extensionwith the team, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarows...

Spencer Dinwiddie to join Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers

Spencer Dinwiddie will sign withthe Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, according toThe Athletic's Shams Charania.Dinwiddie and his agent, Jaso...

Hornets spoil Karl-Anthony Towns career-best 62 points, beat Wolves

The Charlotte Hornets spoiled Karl-Anthony Towns’ career nightwith a come-from-behind 128-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolvesat Target Center.Town...

The Pelicans should find more minutes for Jordan Hawkins moving forward

When the New Orleans Pelicanswere missing the services of sharpshooter Trey Murphy III to startthe season, head coach Willie Green turned to rookie Jo...