“Every minute in the series is a chance to find something, um, you know. So, uh, we’re going to go back home. This is a, you know, good team at home. So we’re going to go home and, um, you know, fight for game three,” said Chris Finch in the aftermath of Game 2 of the Timberwolves-OKC series. For many, the hope for the Timberwolves to reach the Finals series had gone down in the mud after the first two games were lost. Stephen A. Smith, despite highlighting some optimism, had said, “I’m looking at the Thunder sweeping the Timberwolves… I will be happy if they win a game.” Fortunately, the team now makes good use of the home-court advantage. Their recent performance is leaving a major blow on the OKC squad, causing them to find relief in other things.

By halftime of Game 3 of the Timberwolves-OKC series, the former squad led by a 72-41 score. The gap only increased by the end of the 3rd quarter, with a 107-70 score favoring the Timberwolves. After 2 games in which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made good use of home-court advantage, the tide finally seems to have turned against them. The game ended with the Timberwolves securing their first win of the series by a 143-101 score.

Much credit for his performance goes to Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Not only did they carry the offensive effort, but the duo was also efficient with their shooting. Edwards scored 30 points, along with 12-17 field goals, 5-8 (62.5%) 3-pointers, and 1-2 free throws.

Meanwhile, Randle recorded 24 points by shooting 9-15 field goals, 2-5 3-pointers, and 4-4 free throws. Shams Charania had earlier revealed what had changed for the Timberwolves squad by stating, “The Timberwolves had a 45-minute long film session this morning that’s much longer than usual for this team on game day.” Whatever the squad learned through that morning session gave them an edge that Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Co. were not prepared to handle.

In light of this, the OKC community had to look for a positive. This led to experienced announcer Doris Burke catching strays.

NBA fans turn against Doris Burke amid OKC’s disappointing performance

One social media user wrote, “Turning off the game because OKC is getting blown out. But I don’t have to listen to Doris Burke’s annoying voice anymore.” Yikes! Not this fan overcome with relief despite his team losing.

Feel that this is the first time in this tournament that Doris Burke has been attacked over her commentary? Well, then, you are certainly wrong. In fact, it was just earlier this week when the 60-year-old received the criticism from fans for saying, “There’s a reason NBA Twitter likes to call [Shai] the free throw merchant, Mike” during Game 2. The fact that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander often intentionally draws fouls to go to the free-throw line is well known by now. Despite that, people were not happy with Burke’s remarks, and said things like “ESPN’s Dollor Store commentators make me watch the NBA games on mute!” and “Don’t even know why she is broadcasting for the NBA much less the playoffs!! What a joke and stupid thing to say.”

One individual wrote, “I have never understood why ESPN continues to let Doris Burke commentate.. she sucks.”

Back in March 2024, Doris Burke was criticized for allegedly favoring the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. The same was highlighted through comments like “@espn doris burke obvious glazing of this team has to be assessed,” and “Doris Burke is deep in her bag of shamelessness tonight.”

Around a year later, in March 2025, she was once again attacked when Jaylen Brown’s elbow caught Luka Doncic. Why was she criticized over this? Well, because Burke said, “I don’t think that’s enough unless there’s a different angle here.” Therefore, along with her usual stances not being too agreeable with NBA fans, Burke has also been allegedly blamed for favouritism.

One social media user wrote, “If Doris Burke never spoke out loud again, the world would be a better place.”

OKC fans have been done with the commentator for a while now. After all, that comment she made about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being a ‘free throw merchant’ wasn’t the first time she had done so. During an Oklahoma City Thunder-Cleveland Cavaliers matchup back in March, Burke made a lapse midway through the game’s 2nd quarter. The referee blew the whistle for a foul, and a Thunder player was sent to the line for free throws. Since it was free throws, Burke ended up assuming it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, when it was actually Jalen Williams. That lapse was just another example of the commentator giving opinions without being fully aware of the facts.

One individual wrote, “I wish ESPN had a way of seeing the dramatic increase in TVs muted when they have Doris Burke on the call vs when they don’t.”

Well, if they did, that certainly would have made for some very interesting reading. After all, Burke did not get to where she is today without being good at what she does. She was the first female to serve as a commentator for the New York Knicks back in 2000. She also became the first woman to call out any major US Championship game. Therefore, while she might have her usual critics, she would also have some fans who enjoy listening to her.

One social media user wrote, “Get Doris Burke off the broadcast.” Well, that won’t happen until the tournament is over. After all, Burke was named the first woman analyst for a major North American sports final back in 2024. She will probably continue holding that responsibility for the upcoming finals, too.

Overall, the majority of reactions saw people united in trashing Doris Burke. With any luck, either she improves in the next NBA tournament, or her respective networks and the league will have to stop giving her a platform.