Chris Finch says Victor Wembanyama's playoff blocks record was aided by missed goaltends

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksLatest Mock DraftWhat Makes Up Championship DNA?Player Poll: Who is the MVP?Player Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Playoffs The Timberwolves believe at least four of Wembanyama's 12 blocks in Game 1 should have been whistled as goaltending calls. Daniel Dunn / Imagn Images Share articleSAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama had a historic night on defense in the Game 1 loss of the San Antonio Spurs’ second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the  Timberwolves are sending a clear message: They’re not backing down and plan to keep coming at the newly minted NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Wolves coach Chris Finch said it would be nice if they got a little help from the officials as well. Finch said his coaching staff reviewed video of Minnesota’s 104-102 victory, and they believe at least four of Wembanyama’s playoff record-breaking 12 blocked shots should have been ruled for goaltending. “Maybe even a fifth,” Finch said Tuesday. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker who is 7 foot 6, who goes after everything, and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends?” Wembanyama was credited with seven blocked shots in the first half, as the Wolves struggled to adapt to playing an opponent with such imposing rim protection after Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets rolled out the red carpet for them on nearly every drive in their first-round series win. Wembanyama was aggressive in challenging shots on Monday night while facing his countryman and mentor, Rudy Gobert, who has a record four DPOYs. Wembanyama’s second block was a goaltend, as he hit the ball after Terrence Shannon Jr. got it to the glass on a layup attempt. Wembanyama got Shannon again later in the game, but that won’t stop the 25-year-old Wolves wing from continuing to go at him. “He’s gonna have to block it every time,” said Shannon, one of Minnesota’s most aggressive drivers. “I ain’t going to stop going downhill. I told him that when he said a little something after he blocked my second one, but he got to block it every time, and I know he ain’t gonna block it every single time.” The Wolves kept attacking Wembanyama throughout the night, and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that they seemed to find a few answers for his long arms and defensive range. “I think decision-making can improve a little bit,” Finch said. “But I love the mindset to keep going, to go and keep going. That’s what we do. We attack the paint as a team.” Finch underscored the importance of officials calling goaltending when it happens. If he is right that four calls were missed, that would have given the Wolves an extra eight points. “You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It’s massive, right?” Finch asked, rhetorically. “That’s also 33 percent of his blocks were goaltending, uncalled. If I were to give you a 33 percent raise, you’d like that, right? That’s a huge number.” Another eight points would have turned Game 1 into a comfortable win for the Wolves. Instead, they had to hold their breath until Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer at the buzzer missed just left to preserve a huge victory for Minnesota. Whether or not Wembanyama gets called for goaltending more often in Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Timberwolves made no bones about their plans to go to the rim against him. “It’s inevitable. He’s 7-6,” Naz Reid said. “He’s going to get some of them. Just attacking with that resiliency, getting downhill at will and trying to make the best of those situations, whether it’s to score at the rim or kick it out.” Finch said the Timberwolves would not submit any plays to the league for review because he knows that wouldn’t change the outcome of a game that has already been played. “We’re going to keep coming,” Finch said. “We’ve got to make some better decisions in how we attack the rim. But all credit to the guys for not being discouraged. We should’ve walked away with another eight points.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms