Earlier today, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch stated that they have filed a complaint with the league regarding officiating issues in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Finch mentioned that the team had submitted several video clips to the league office, showing significant physical contact on Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, with no fouls being called by the referees.

After the team’s training session earlier today, Finch said: “When competing for defensive rebounds, there were many fouls committed against Gobert—pushing, pulling, body-checking, even wrestling. These actions were everywhere. We’ve submitted these clips to the league. In fact, I can't think of any player of Gobert’s caliber being allowed to endure such physical contact. So, we have to find a way to deal with it.”

In yesterday’s game, the Timberwolves were clearly outmatched in the rebounding battle, getting out-rebounded 51-41 by the Warriors. Gobert only grabbed 11 rebounds, a significant drop compared to his 24 rebounds in the Game 5 win against the Lakers in the first round.

Finch particularly pointed out a moment that he found hard to accept: in the second quarter, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski “clearly grabbed Gobert first,” but it was Gobert who was called for a foul while trying to break free from Podziemski’s grip.

“We’re certainly going to ‘seek justice’ when we can—after all, this is a contact sport—but honestly, look at these clips,” Finch said. “They’re basically targeting Gobert for the collisions.”

In Game 1, the Timberwolves were called for 21 fouls, while the Warriors were called for 18 (though the Timberwolves ended up with more free throw attempts, 17-15).

Furthermore, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo revealed that after the Game 1 film session, Finch pointed out that every player must take responsibility for the loss, and the blame should not fall entirely on the referees.

“They played tougher and with more physicality than we did,” McDaniels said. “They shoved us around, but if the referees don’t call it, it’s not a foul. We just have to keep playing and not worry about the refs