As two of the toughest, grittiest teams in the NBA playoffs, it’s no surprise things are getting intense between the Timberwolves and Grizzlies.
But during Tuesday night’s Game 5, things reached a whole new level.
At one point during the game, Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane was caught pushing head coach Chris Finch on an inbound play. The commentators were shocked, but so were several of the fans, who got up and appeared ready to defend their team.
Check it out:
Desmond Bane pushed T-Wolves' HC Chris Finch on the inbound play 👀 https://t.co/WmTvSnISfv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2022
All the fans were ready for the smoke 😂 pic.twitter.com/TRy5Qv6sNE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2022
It’s rare for a player to put their hands on the opposing team’s coach like that, especially in the middle of a game. Whatever happened at that particular moment, it seems Bane was desperate for him to move.
On Twitter, users chimed in with their own thoughts on the altercation.
Personally IM NOT GOIN FOR THAT…but hey that’s just me pic.twitter.com/LnzvejxAy3
— JAY® (@JayLGK) April 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/wajibecappin/status/1519122230675918854
That’s so disrespectful
— fan account (@Asensii20) April 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/MasterSage_/status/1519122192700788739https://twitter.com/DontMissZay/status/1519122354403790854
Dude looked at that head coach and was like.. pic.twitter.com/JsHBfrSapw
— Rey Wayne (@ReyWayne3) April 27, 2022
For a team that rarely gets into the playoffs, the Timberwolves are making the most of this year’s appearance.
After winning both play-in games, they celebrated like it was an NBA Championship, with emotions being spilled on the court unlike anything seen before.
For some, it was a ridiculous show of overreaction. To others, it proved the kind of heart Minnesota has played with all season long.
For all the knocks against professional athletes, we witnessed in real time them showing that it matters. Them showing how much they cared. They cared, the city cared, the fans cared, The team cared, the players cared. They cared, and we’re going to make fun of that? It’s wrong.
Now that they’re in the playoffs, the Wolves are holding their own against the 2nd seeded Grizzlies. They’ve won 3 games now and stand just one more win away from making the Western Semis.
Clearly, judging by that push from Bane, the Grizzlies are feeling frustrated.
However this series ends, you can bet that Game 6 (and Game 7 if it gets that far) will be one for the ages.
