Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch doesn't believe all of Victor Wembanyama's NBA playoff-record 12 blocks in Game 1 of the West semifinals were legitimate.
"When we looked at them, at least four of them were goaltending. Maybe, even a fifth," Finch told reporters Tuesday, including ESPN's Anthony Slater. "To me, it's a little alarming that none of them were called. And here's a generational shot-blocker - who's 7-foot-6, who goes after everything - and there's no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends."
Finch specifically mentioned Wembanyama's stuffing of Terrence Shannon Jr. during the third possession of the game, calling the play a "clean, obvious" goaltending call.
The importance of each potential bucket wasn't lost on the Timberwolves head coach, especially in a contest ultimately decided by just two points.
"You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It's massive, right? That's also 33% of his blocks were goaltending uncalled," Finch said. "If I were to give you a 33% raise, you would like that, right? That's a huge number."
Minnesota's willingness to keep attacking the rim despite Wembanyama's presence was a significant factor in their series-opening victory, as the team tallied 54 points in the paint.
Game 2 tips off Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio.
