Bishop of the Abyss

Chapter 131

The accident on the court made the referee not sure how to make a penalty. The video playback showed that Hassell collided with Popovich to save the ball this time.

And Hassell's head/shoulder also hit the billboard, but Hassell is strong and strong, which didn't have much impact.

But Popovich, who is nearly 60 years old, is a bit miserable. According to the Spurs team doctor's examination, Popovich broke at least three ribs in this collision. As for the specific details of the injury, it depends on the next film examination.

But what is certain is that it will be difficult for Popovich to return to coaching in the next two to three months. If nothing else, the Spurs will be in charge of assistant coach Don Newman.

And Popovich can only lie at home quietly recuperate and watch the game.

For Trenton Hassell's impact on the referee, I would like to say that it was an accident, but considering the personal grievances between the Timberwolves and the Spurs, the referee is afraid that it will attract dissatisfaction from the Spurs fans.

After all, this Christmas game was broadcast live across the United States, and now I don't know how many pairs of eyes are staring in front of the TV, which makes the referee feel very stressed.

In the end, the referee symbolically gave Hassell a technical foul.

The technical foul doesn't make Hassell ejected, nor does it allow Hassell to be suspended, it just allows the Spurs to get free throws.

The referee watched the video replay many times in the replay center. No matter how you look at it, it was an accident. Hassell's save action was not disguised at all. It can only be said that Popovich's position was a bit bad, and even his left foot was still on the ground. Step inside.

When the referee announced the result to the scene through the radio station, the Spurs were obviously dissatisfied, obviously not believing that this was really an accident!
Everyone is very clear that there is a grievance between the Timberwolves and the Spurs. Now that Popovich has broken at least three ribs by Hassel, it doesn't look like an accident.

Even though Hassell in the video was running for the ball, the collision with Popovich seemed so coincidental, but this kind of coincidence happened in the game between the Timberwolves and the Spurs, which is the most unconvincing accident!
"These guys obviously did it on purpose. This is a trap they set up in advance, just to clear up the suspicion and pretend to be innocent!" Robert Horry said through gritted teeth.

After Popovich was helped out by the team doctor, the atmosphere on the Spurs side was a bit delicate.

The head coach's accidental injury was like pouring cold water directly on the Spurs' head, which made the already low morale of the Spurs even more panicky, which seemed to be in a state of chaos.

No one thought that the Timberwolves would send out such a gift in the Christmas game, blatantly creating an accident under the camera of the national live broadcast.

That's right, no one from the top to the bottom of the Spurs believed that this was an accident. Even Tim Duncan sat down the court and bowed his head in silence, as if he didn't intend to continue to appear on the court.

"Finish this game first, and don't conflict with the opponent. We have no evidence to prove that the Timberwolves did it on purpose, but if we take the initiative to provoke the opponent, we will be the ones who are wrong in the end."

Spurs assistant coach Don Newman wiped the sweat from his forehead while soothing the emotions of Robert Horry and others.

Don Newman is considered a senior assistant coach. Even though he just came to the Spurs last season as Popovich's assistant, he is very popular in the Spurs because of his personality.

So after Popovich left the field, Don Newman naturally became the acting coach of the Spurs.

Returning to the game, Don Newman replaced all the main players and only took the team's second team on the stage. It seemed that he planned to give up the game to avoid unexpected accidents.

Before Popovich was injured and left the field, the Spurs were already behind the Timberwolves by double digits. With the Spurs' offensive firepower this season, this score is basically the overall situation.

And Popovich's accidental injury made the Spurs' low morale even more depressed, making the game go straight into garbage time.

"Dududu~"

As the whistle sounded for the end of the game, the Timberwolves finally defeated the Spurs by 14 points and won the nationally broadcast Christmas game.

The biggest highlight of this game is the unexpected departure of Spurs coach Popovich. Compared with the game process, Popovich's injury made fans more curious.

The referee judged that the collision between Trenton Hassel and Popovich was purely accidental.

At that time, fans also watched the video many times. From the perspective of the video, it was indeed an accident caused by a save.

It's just that this accident made most fans can't believe it. It's not so much that they can't believe it, it's better to say that they don't want to believe it.

However, the fans couldn't produce any evidence that Trenton Hassel was a premeditated collision.

If it was really premeditated, it can only be said that for this day, the Timberwolves must have been laying the groundwork for a long time in private.

Timberwolves can win this defensive battle, "Madman" and Monta Ellis on the bench made great contributions.

The madman who started the game contributed 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, of which 22 points were the highest in the game. Except for "Madman", no other player from the two teams combined scored more than [-] points.

至于替补出场的蒙塔埃利斯则高效11中8，里突外投砍下了19分2篮板以及3次抢断。

The Spurs' defensive efficiency is extremely high. To be able to play this kind of performance in the game against the Spurs, Monta Ellis' touch can be described as hot.

.........

At the press conference after the game, the two rooms of the Timberwolves and the Spurs were packed with reporters of all kinds.

The Christmas game was originally the most watched game in the NBA, and the Spurs coach Popovich was accidentally injured in the Christmas game. Coupled with some previous grievances between the two teams, it quickly attracted the attention of the outside world.

Facing the questions from the media reporters, Luke's face was full of calm, and he couldn't see Luke's inner thoughts at all: "This is an accident, an accident that the referee has already judged."

"Trenton's playing style is like this. He will actively fight for every possession and will not give up under any circumstances."

"To be honest, Greg was already on the court at the time. From the video, it is obvious that Greg's left foot has left the court."

"His position not only violated the coaching regulations, but also affected Trenton's save, causing Trenton's left shoulder to hit the billboard. It is not known whether there will be soft tissue contusion."

"Rumours can deceive people, but videos can't. I hope some people won't be led by the outside world."

"Even if Greg's injury is completely self-inflicted in my opinion, because I would never stand in that position, let alone try to influence players to save the ball."

Luke's words made the reporters on the scene look at each other. No one expected that Luke not only put the blame on Popovich, showed no mercy to Popovich, but also forcibly buckled Popovich who was injured and left the field. A hat for trying to influence the game.

I have to say that Luke's approach is really murderous!

(End of this chapter)