The Pool Report interview was conducted by Andrew Schlecht (The Athletic) with Crew Chief Josh Tiven following tonight’s Minnesota at Oklahoma City Game.

November 26, 2025

QUESTION: How did or didn’t Caruso’s initial grab of Gobert’s arm factor into the call of a Flagrant 1 against Gobert?

TIVEN: Gobert makes unnecessary contact to the face of Caruso, and Caruso grabbing Gobert’s arm wasn’t a factor. He’s a vulnerable airborne player with potential for injury in the air, and he was bracing himself in midair as a result of the illegal contact by Rudy.

QUESTION: Was the decision to uphold the technical on Gobert for hitting Hartenstein’s nose made after confirming it on replay or was there no definitive angle of the play?

TIVEN: Contact to the bridge of the nose by Gobert was confirmed via replay.

QUESTION: Why was a replay review not initiated when Lu Dort appeared to wind up and throw Julius Randle on a foul called in the third quarter?

TIVEN: At the time of the foul, the crew did not see contact that warranted a review.