Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Jaden McDaniels let his emotions boil over during Thursday night’s Western Conference Finals showdown.
The Minnesota Timberwolves forward was hit with a flagrant foul in the fourth quarter of Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. The incident occurred as Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was bringing the ball up the court.
McDaniels, tasked with guarding Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the series, believed the Thunder guard had gotten away with an offensive foul — specifically, an arm hook. With no call from the officials, McDaniels took matters into his own hands. Moments later, he ran up behind Gilgeous-Alexander and delivered a forceful shove, knocking him to the ground.
Initially called a personal foul, the play was reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant 1. Video of the shove quickly circulated online, with another angle showing just how deliberate the contact was.
McDaniels has drawn the difficult assignment of defending Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been masterful at drawing fouls throughout the series.
In Game 1, McDaniels fouled out as Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 31 points, including 11-of-14 from the free throw line. Game 2 was more of the same, with McDaniels racking up five fouls while Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 38 points and went 13-of-15 from the line.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-drawing tactics have drawn increasing criticism from fans, many of whom are growing weary of what they see as foul-baiting. Based on Thursday’s shove, it appears McDaniels is just as frustrated.