The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs with an unexpected setback as head coach Chris Finch will be sidelined due to knee surgery. Finch suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon during a collision with Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley, requiring surgery to repair the injury.
The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, leaving Finch with only three days of recovery before Game 1 against Denver. Typically, this type of procedure necessitates a longer period of leg immobilization, and Finch will also require the use of crutches during his recovery. Given the constraints of the NBA sideline, it is unlikely that Finch will be able to be present on the bench at the start of the series.
Assistant coach Micah Nori will assume a leading role in Finch's absence, having previously taken charge during Finch's absence in a game against Cleveland earlier in the season. The coaching staff, known for its strong chemistry, will work collectively to fill the void left by Finch's absence.
The injury occurred during Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns, where Conley was knocked into Finch by Suns star Devin Booker. Despite Conley's attempt to soften the impact, Finch sustained the injury and had to leave the game in pain.
Finch, who finished third in the NBA Coach of the Year voting, has a successful coaching record with the Timberwolves, boasting a 160-127 overall record in 3½ years. He has led the team to the playoffs in each of his three full seasons as head coach. Finch took over the coaching duties in 2021 after the dismissal of Ryan Saunders and has previously served as an assistant coach for various NBA teams.
The Timberwolves will face the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 on Saturday, followed by Game 2 on Monday, with a three-day break before Game 3 in Minnesota on May 10.
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