Tempers flared in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves, but it wasn't just the players who got heated. Veteran referee Tony Brothers found himself in a heated exchange with Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch during the fourth quarter of the Spurs' 115-108 win—and the confrontation got so intense that Brothers had to be physically held back.

For NBA fans, seeing an official lose their cool like that is a rare sight. But for those familiar with Tony Brothers' fiery reputation, it wasn't entirely surprising. The moment unfolded during a timeout, when Finch tried to call a stoppage and felt ignored by the crew chief.

"I wanted the timeout and I said I want my 3 seconds back," Finch explained after the game. "He clearly heard me. He looked my way and ignored me, went on with the play, almost cost us a turnover. He lost it. Then I went to ask him where the ball was going to be taken in and he was screaming at me for that. So completely unprofessional behavior by him."

While Finch didn't hold back his frustration, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards took a more lighthearted approach. "It's competition at the highest level. We want to win. Finchy want to win. Tony Brothers is Tony Brothers. We all love him, so it's all good here," Edwards said with a shrug.

Brothers has been an NBA official since the 1994-95 season and has worked 19 NBA Finals games, according to the National Basketball Referees Association. Game 3 marked his first time officiating this series and only his second Timberwolves game of the postseason. For a coach fighting for a playoff win, every second—and every call—matters. And in this case, those three seconds made all the difference.