By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch didn’t hold back following his side’s Game 1 victory in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, centering his post-review analysis on the officiating surrounding Victor Wembanyama’s historic 12-block performance for the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Despite the narrow win at the Frost Bank Center, he expressed significant frustration over what he perceived as uncalled goaltending violations that swung the game’s scoring margin.
“You had an historic night, but when we looked at them, at least four of them were goaltending. Maybe even a fifth. To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot-blocker who’s seven-foot-six, who goes after everything, and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends. I mean, the third possession of the game was a goaltend, and it was a clean, obvious one,” Finch said during a media session on Tuesday, upon reviewing Game 1.
The 56-year-old tactician emphasized the mathematical impact of those missed calls, noting that even a few errors carry massive weight. “So, let’s just say they were four. That’s eight points. The value of eight points in an NBA game is massive, right? That’s also 33% of his blocks were goaltending, uncalled,” he added. “We are going to keep coming. We got to make some better decisions on how we attack the rim, but all credit to the guys for not being discouraged, because we should have walked away with another eight points.”
French starting center Rudy Gobert echoed his coach’s sentiments, albeit with a lighter tone. When asked how many of Wemby’s blocks should have been whistled, he estimated, “He fouled me on the first one, but if you look at them, probably three or four.” He later mentioned with a laugh, “I wished I had that kind of treatment too.”
As the Wolves prepare for Wednesday’s Game 2 in San Antonio with a 1-0 lead, the roster remains battered. Anthony Edwards is questionable with a left knee bone bruise, alongside Ayo Dosunmu, who is managing a right calf injury. Donte DiVincenzo remains sidelined as he recovers from Achilles tendon repair. The series will shift to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0 (111-101)
6. New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 1-0 (137-98)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 1-0 (108-90)
6. San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-0 (104-102)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions