The Minnesota Timberwolves face uncertainty on the sidelines as they head into their second-round playoff series against Denver. Coach Chris Finch will undergo knee surgery after a collision with point guard Mike Conley.
The surgery, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to repair his ruptured right patellar tendon. This leaves Finch with only three days to recover before Game 1 in Denver, but typically, such procedures require longer recovery times, often involving the use of crutches.
It’s unclear if Finch will be able to be on the bench for the start of the series due to the limited space. Assistant coach Micah Nori led the team in Finch’s absence during Game 4 against Phoenix. The coaching staff will collectively fill any gaps, relying on the strong chemistry developed over a short period.
Conley was dribbling near the sideline when Booker accidentally collided with him, causing him to fall into the coach. Despite Conley’s attempt to soften the fall, Finch sustained a knee injury from the impact and immediately showed signs of pain.
Finch, who ranked third in NBA Coach of the Year voting, has a coaching record of 160-127 over 3½ years with the Timberwolves. In the playoffs, he holds a record of 7-8, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his three full seasons.
Finch took over as head coach in 2021 after Ryan Saunders was dismissed, transitioning from Toronto’s coaching staff. He has previously worked as an assistant coach for teams like New Orleans, Denver, and Houston.
Coincidentally, Finch faces off against coach Mike Malone of the Nuggets once again in the playoffs, reminiscent of their encounter last postseason. Denver defeated Minnesota in five games during the first round last year, igniting their journey to the championship.
