Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch expressed his disapproval of Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray throwing a heat pack onto the court during play in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“It’s inexcusable and dangerous,” Finch said following Minnesota’s 106-80 road win. “I’m sure it just was a mistake and an oversight. I’m sure there was nothing intentional by the officiating (crew) at all, but certainly can’t allow that to happen.”
Finch added that referees couldn’t call a technical foul on Murray because they didn’t see him throw the pack.
Lead official Marc Davis told reporters that referees would’ve reviewed the incident and assessed Murray a technical foul had they known the heat pack was thrown from the bench, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said he didn’t see Murray make the throw or the pack land on the court as it wasn’t in his line of sight, per Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
Murray left without speaking to the media, McMenamin reports. The 27-year-old finished the contest with eight points on 3-for-18 shooting, bringing down 13 rebounds.
Denver fell 0-2 in the series with Monday’s defeat, dropping both contests on home court. Minnesota hosts Game 3 on Friday.
