Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch condemned Nuggets guard Jamal Murray for casually tossing a heating pad onto the court during the second quarter of Minnesota’s 106-80 victory over Denver on Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Finch described Murray’s action as “dangerous” and “inexcusable,” pointing out that Murray, who was seated on the bench, displayed such behavior during active gameplay. The incident occurred while Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns was receiving a pass from Kyle Anderson, with 4:41 left in the second quarter.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets guard, promptly grabbed the heating pad and ejected it from the play without catching the attention of the referees.

“I was the lead official, and I didn’t notice it was on the floor or where it came from until Towns scored,” crew chief Marc Davis told a pool reporter, per ESPN. “We weren’t aware it had come from the bench.”

“If we would have been aware it came from the bench, we could have reviewed it under the hostile act trigger. The penalty would have been a technical foul.”

Finch attempted to sway the officials’ perspective regarding the potential safety risk.

“We tried to impress upon (the referees) there probably aren’t many fans in the building that have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench, which they found logical,” Finch said. “I’m sure it was a mistake and an oversight and nothing intentional by the officiating at all, but certainly can’t allow that to happen.”

Murray, aged 27, struggled, making only 3 of 18 field goals and concluding the game with eight points, 13 rebounds, and four turnovers for the reigning champion Nuggets, who now trail 2-0 in the seven-game series. The third game is scheduled for Friday in Minneapolis.