Timberwolves' Patrick Beverley critical of Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins complaining about refs
Leave it to Patrick Beverley to add another layer of intensity in the competitive playoff series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies.
Speaking Monday afternoon ahead of Game 5 Tuesday in Memphis, Beverley was critical of how Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins complained about the refereeing during Minnesota's 118-117 win in Game 4 Saturday night in Minneapolis.
"I've never seen a more inconsistent, arrogant officiated game," said Jenkins Saturday night. "It's embarrassing. I'm at a loss for words."
The NBA fined Jenkins $15,000 on Monday. And then came Beverley's reaction.
"I seen the interview with Coach Jenkins about the referees. Very interesting there," said Beverley. "Especially due to the fact that I think they shot 42 free throws the first time we played them, and I don't think Coach Finch complained at all."
Beverley believes Ja Morant should've been called for two charges against Beverley earlier in the series, but even though he disagreed with the no-calls he didn't use his press time to complain about the refs.
"I think the referees are in a tough position as it is already," Beverley added. "And coming from a young coach, that's just something that you don't do. Me being in this league for a decade, that's something you just don't do, you know. Especially during playoff time. So Kinda confused about that."
Learning of Beverley's criticism, Jenkins responded Monday afternoon: "I care about the people that are closest to me," he said, according to Memphis reporter Evan Barnes.
Let's take a look at how the series has been officiated game-by-game:
- Game 1: Grizzlies shot 43 free throws compared to 27 for Minnesota, and the Wolves were called for 32 fouls compared to 24 called on the Grizzlies.
- Game 2: Grizzlies shot 32 free throws, Minnesota attempted 28, and the Wolves were called for 28 fouls compared to 22 called on the Grizzlies.
- Game 3: Grizzlies shot 31 free throws, Minnesota attempted 23, and the Wolves were called for 28 fouls compared to 20 called on Memphis.
- Game 4: Wolves shot 40 free throws compared to 25 for Memphis, and the Grizzlies were called for 33 fouls compared to 23 on Minnesota.
Add it all up and the Grizzlies have attempted 131 free throws compared to 118 for Minnesota. The Wolves have been called for 111 fouls compared to 99 called on the Grizzlies.
Jenkins is in his third season as head coach of the Grizzlies. He was an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks and later the Milwaukee Bucks between 2013 and 2019.
Game 4 is at Memphis Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on Bally Sports North and TNT.
