A likely Timberwolves fan sitting courtside Monday night caught a ball that went out of bounds to give the Timberwolves a chance at a final shot with 0.3 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
Thunder star and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to call the fan “smart” for his actions in a video posted by ESPN.
This fan could have cemented himself in Minnesota lore had the Timberwolves somehow won.
With Oklahoma City leading 128-126 with 3.5 seconds remaining, Anthony Edwards missed a free throw, and Gilgeous-Alexander and Donte DiVincenzo fought for the rebound.
The Timberwolves now face elimination in Game 5 on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, and Minnesota is an 8.5-point underdog at BetMGM.
Steve Bartman was reversed by this fan.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Monday night, with 0:3 seconds left, a Timberwolves fan sitting courtside probably caught a ball that went out of bounds to give the team a last-second chance.
If the fan hadn’t pulled a Justin Jefferson and interjected himself with a nice catch, the game might have been over, but it didn’t matter because the Timberwolves turned the ball over on the inbounds pass in the 128-126 loss to the Thunder, which now puts Minnesota in a 3-1 series deficit.
In an ESPN video, Thunder player and current MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to call the fan “smart” for what he did.
The idea that fans will do whatever they can to support their teams while they are in the stands is widely acknowledged, but the Yankees fans who attempted to wrestle Mookie Betts obviously went too far.
Although the Cubs’ 2016 championship has helped to erase the pain, Bartman will always be remembered for his interference with a foul ball that hurt the team during their 2003 NLCS loss to the Marlins.
If the Timberwolves had somehow prevailed, this fan might have solidified his place in Minnesota history.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Donte DiVincenzo battled for the rebound after Anthony Edwards missed a free throw with 3:05 seconds left, putting Oklahoma City ahead 128-126.
In an attempt to run out the clock, Gilgeous-Alexander gathered the ball and threw it down court.
However, his pass went out of bounds, and this fan grabbed the ball before it could hit the ground. Without the fan, the clock might have gone off.
Following a review, the referees awarded Minnesota 0.3 seconds after initially ruling that the Timberwolves had possession with 0.1 seconds left, which would have prevented them from getting a shot off.
Gilgeous-Alexander gestured toward the fan as the referees gathered, then smirked and touched his head in a contemplative gesture.
“You’re smart,” he seemed to say, gesturing to the fan.
The Timberwolves tried a tip-in during that time saved by the fan’s “smart” play, but Jalen Williams intercepted the pass to seal the two-point victory.
On Wednesday in Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves will be eliminated in Game 5, and Minnesota is an 8-point, 5-point underdog at BetMGM.
