Timberwolves sent Rudy Gobert ‘tackling’ evidence to NBA after Game 1 loss

Rudy Gobert anchors defense as Timberwolves question officiating ahead of Game 2 vs. Warriors

Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, finished Game 1 with nine points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 4-for-7 from the field. He played a key role in the Timberwolves’ interior defense, but Finch’s comments highlight growing frustration with how officials are managing physical play in the post.

Minnesota held Golden State to under 100 points but struggled offensively, with no player scoring more than 23 points. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 23 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block in 42 minutes. The team shot just 39.5% from the field and committed 16 turnovers in the loss.

The Warriors, meanwhile, were forced to adjust after losing Stephen Curry early in the second quarter to a hamstring injury. Despite Curry logging only 13 minutes, Golden State relied on contributions from Buddy Hield, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler III to take a 1-0 series lead. Curry has since been diagnosed with a low-grade left hamstring strain and has been ruled out for Game 2. The team announced he will be re-evaluated in one week, and the early expectation is that he could miss multiple games in the series.

With the series shifting to Game 2 on Thursday at Target Center, airing at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT, the Timberwolves will look to bounce back and even the series. Gobert’s interior presence and the team’s ability to generate second-chance opportunities could prove crucial, especially with Golden State’s floor general sidelined.

Finch’s comments and the team’s formal complaint signal the Timberwolves’ intention to pressure the league into closer scrutiny of Gobert’s matchups in the paint. Whether the league responds remains to be seen, but the physical tone of the series has already been established.