The 2025 NBA Playoffs are heating up both on and off the court, and the latest spark came from Kendrick Perkins, who didn’t hold back when responding to Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch’s comments about the Golden State Warriors. After Finch claimed that the Warriors were being “excessively physical” with center Rudy Gobert, Perkins took to the airwaves to set the record straight in his own fiery style.
“Man, this is playoff basketball!” Perkins said during ESPN’s “NBA Today” broadcast. “Ain’t nobody feeling sorry for Rudy Gobert out there. You’re 7-foot-1, Defensive Player of the Year, and you’re telling me you can’t handle a little physicality? Come on now. This is grown-man time!”
Perkins, never one to mince words, pointed out that playoff basketball has always been more physical than the regular season—and that Gobert, given his size, reputation, and experience, should expect nothing less. He emphasized that Finch’s complaints might actually backfire, making Gobert more of a target for the Warriors, who are known for their tough, gritty playoff defense.
Chris Finch’s comments came after Game 2 of the Warriors-Timberwolves series, a bruising affair that saw Gobert frequently battling Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, and even smaller Warriors defenders in the post. Finch argued that Golden State had crossed the line from tough defense into rough, borderline illegal play. However, officials seemed content to let the teams play, understanding the raised intensity that comes with postseason action.
Perkins wasn’t buying Finch’s argument. “This is the same Rudy Gobert who talks about being the anchor of the defense, about bringing toughness to his team. Now it’s time to show it,” Perkins said. “You can’t be complaining to the refs or letting your coach do the talking for you. You gotta stand tall and respond between those lines.”
He also added that the Warriors, to their credit, were executing a smart game plan. By bumping, crowding, and making life uncomfortable for Gobert, they’re taking Minnesota’s interior threat out of rhythm. Perkins praised Draymond Green in particular, calling him a “master” of walking the fine line between tough and dirty without getting himself tossed.
“They’re playing chess, not checkers,” Perkins said. “Golden State knows that if they let Gobert get comfortable, he’s gonna control the paint. Instead, they’re bodying him up, getting under his skin, and making him think twice every time he touches the ball.”
The broader reaction around the league seems to support Perkins’ stance. Physicality ramps up during the playoffs, and unless it turns into outright dirty play, it’s part of what separates playoff intensity from regular-season games. Most players and analysts agree that Gobert needs to adapt, not expect the referees to change the tone of the series.
As Game 3 looms, all eyes will be on how Gobert responds. Will he rise to the occasion and match Golden State’s physicality, or will the Warriors continue to push him off his game? One thing’s certain: Kendrick Perkins—and a lot of others—will be watching closely.
