Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors)
After Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals (May 2025)
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said the team submitted clips to the NBA showing Rudy Gobert being “tackled” during defensive rebounding with no foul calls. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr also complained about the lack of fouls called when Steph Curry was grabbed off-ball before exiting with a hamstring injury.
Finch called out what he described as excessive physicality allowed against Gobert, while Kerr pointed to playoff leniency by referees as a consistent issue, especially in defending off-ball motion. Both sides acknowledged the playoff environment as physical but felt the officiating lacked consistency.