Chris Finch Ejected Early as Minnesota Timberwolves Secure Gritty Victory Against Oklahoma City Thunder
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was ejected less than six minutes into Friday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident occurred during a high-stakes matchup at the Target Center in Minneapolis on December 19, 2025. Finch received two technical fouls in quick succession after he vehemently protested a series of non-calls. The coaching staff and team security had to restrain him as he continued his verbal assault on the officiating crew. He left the floor to a massive standing ovation from the home crowd with six minutes and nineteen seconds remaining in the first period. This marked a rare emotional outburst for the veteran leader who has been critical of officiating trends throughout the current season.
The frustration boiled over after star guard Anthony Edwards and forward Julius Randle were denied foul calls on consecutive drives to the basket. Randle appeared to be hit while attempting a layup against Isaiah Hartenstein but no whistle was blown. Finch chased official John Butler up the court to argue his case which led to his first technical foul. He then directed further comments toward the rest of the crew during the subsequent break in play. The second technical foul followed immediately and triggered an automatic ejection from the contest. Lead assistant coach Micah Nori took over the head coaching duties for the remainder of the evening. The atmosphere inside the arena remained electric as the team responded to their coach’s intensity.
Despite the early loss of their head coach the Timberwolves displayed remarkable resilience against the defending champions. The first half was a defensive struggle for both teams as shooting percentages plummeted across the board. Minnesota shot just 34 percent from the floor during the opening two quarters of play. The Oklahoma City Thunder also struggled to find their offensive rhythm and finished the half with only 51 points. Acting coach Micah Nori made several tactical adjustments to keep the Timberwolves competitive despite the early deficit. The game remained close through the third quarter as both teams traded leads in a physical battle that felt like a playoff preview.
Anthony Edwards provided the necessary spark in his first game back after a three-game absence due to a foot injury. He finished the night with a team-high 26 points and 12 rebounds to secure the 112-107 win for the home team. Edwards hit a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with just 38.5 seconds remaining on the clock to give Minnesota the lead. He also recorded a crucial steal against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final seconds to seal the result. Julius Randle contributed 19 points while Rudy Gobert dominated the glass with 14 rebounds. This victory moves the Timberwolves to an 18-10 record and hands the Thunder only their third loss of the 2025-26 season.
