As the Western Conference Semifinals move to Minneapolis, the Minnesota Timberwolves lead the Denver Nuggets 2-0.
One possible concern is if Jamal Murray will be available for the Nuggets. During live play in the first half of the Timberwolves’ 106-80 Game 2 triumph on Monday night, Murray hurled not one, but two things onto the court, displaying obvious frustration. He may have thrown a towel at an official when he did so from the bench.
Then, as Karl-Anthony Towns was about to score a basket, he threw a heating pad into the court. Murray did not receive a technical foul since he was not seen throwing either object by any of the three officials. Murray will receive a fine at the very least for hurling something onto the court. It’s not impossible that he will receive a suspension for Game 3.
Following the game, Chris Finch, the coach of the Timberwolves, thought about it.
“I didn’t actually see it happen but when it was explained to me, the referees didn’t see it either so they’re not able to issue a technical unless they see it,” Finch said. “We tried to impress upon them that there probably aren’t many fans in the building that have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench. It’s inexcusable and dangerous.”
As weird as it seems, the Timberwolves may really want him to play. Nine minutes into the game, Towns ran over Murray, who was only 3-of-18 on the shooting and obviously frustrated with the officials. No charge or foul was called. “That’s a f*****g charge,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone yelled at referee Marc Davis as he stormed onto the floor during the ensuing break. That would result in two technical fouls and an automatic ejection in a typical game. but not during the postseason.
Malone did not say anything unsportsmanlike, according to Davis’ post-game pool report.
Social media went crazy for Timberwolves supporters, particularly after Anthony Edwards was given a technical foul for staring down Reggie Jackson during Game 1.
The Timberwolves will play Game 3 at Target Center on Friday night, and a victory would send the Nuggets to the verge of elimination.