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Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is set to undergo surgery to repair a right patellar tendon on Wednesday. It is uncertain if he will be able to coach the team’s Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets from the bench.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Finch will need to keep his right leg immobilized in a brace during the initial stages of his recovery.
According to various NBA betting sites, the Timberwolves have the fourth-shortest odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are favoring better odds for the Boston Celtics, Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks.
In early stages of rehab, surgery will require Finch’s right leg to be immobilized in a brace. If Finch isn’t able to park on sidelines to start series, assistant Micah Nori will coach Game 1 – with Finch likely communicating to the bench from the locker room, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2024
If Finch is unable to be on the sidelines at the start of the series, assistant Micah Nori will lead Game 1 on Saturday. Additionally, Finch is expected to relay plays to the bench from the locker room, according to sources cited by Wojnarowski.
Finch, who finished third in the NBA’s Coach of the Year voting, plans to travel to Denver with the team on Friday. The Timberwolves made history by sweeping their first playoff series ever against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee
Furthermore, Finch sustained the injury in the closing moments of Game 4 on Sunday after a collision with Minnesota guard Mike Conley along the sideline.
Under Finch’s guidance, the Timberwolves achieved their best regular-season record (56-26) and have made the playoffs in each of his first three seasons.
Assistant coach Nori filled in for Finch during the final minutes of Game 4.
Chris Finch tore his patellar tendon tonight on this play
-He will need surgery likely between rounds
-Timeline of healing is 6 months but usually 1 year before feeling normal pic.twitter.com/9iF94UOOWq
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 29, 2024
“Everybody has their role, everybody has each other’s back,” Nori commented. “I know it sounds corny, but it’s just next man up, even with the coaching staff.”
Nori has been alongside Finch in Minnesota for three seasons (2021-present) and has previous coaching experience with the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons.
The Timberwolves’ victory over the Suns marked their first-ever four-game playoff sweep in Minnesota professional sports history, including the Wolves, Wild, Twins, North Stars, and Minneapolis Lakers.
It was also the Wolves’ first playoff series triumph since the 2004 Western Conference semifinals where they defeated the Sacramento Kings in seven games. Minnesota had lost their previous three first-round series.
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