Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch is expected to undergo surgery Wednesday on his torn patellar tendon in his right knee, per ESPN, after colliding with his point guard, Mike Conley during Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. There is reportedly concern that Finch may not be able to be on the bench for the start of the Wolves' second-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
With just under two minutes remaining in Minnesota's 122-116 win on Sunday to complete a sweep of their first-round series and advance to second round for the first time since 2004, Conley was dribbling up the sideline when he got bumped and fouled by Devin Booker. Conley's momentum carried him off the court, where he crashed into Finch, who collapsed to the ground. Finch appeared to cry out in pain and grabbed for his knee.
Timberwolves HC Chris Finch had to be helped off the court after a collision with Mike Conley.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 29, 2024
(via @TSN_Sports)
pic.twitter.com/bFqdB23m3A
Minnesota's players and coaches made a circle around Finch, who remained on the ground for a brief period under the care of the team's medical staff. Eventually, he was lifted to his feet and helped back to the locker room with 1:41 remaining in the game. Assistant coach Micah Nori assumed control of the team for the remainder of the game.
"I didn't see him at first, I was just trying to push the ball up the floor and Book hip checked me out of bounds," Conley said. "Prayers up for him. I'm sure he'll be fine. We'll do it for him and we'll keep it moving."
Nori said during his post-game press conference that Finch was in good spirits after the game and the entire team went to the medical room to check on him.
"With the way Finchy does things and the way we've done things all season long, everybody has their roles, everybody has each other's back," Nori said. "I know it sounds cliche-ish and corny but it's just next man up, even with the coaching staff... I would never say business as usual, because Finchy does a phenomenal job, just trying to carry over what he's been doing."
THIS IS FOR YOU, COACH 🫶 pic.twitter.com/KOXL30aoBw
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
The Timberwolves were up 117-113 when Finch departed and outscored the Suns 5-3 the rest of the way to hold on for one of the biggest wins in franchise history. This is the first sweep ever for the Timberwolves, and just the third playoff series they have ever won.
Minnesota's second-round series starts on Saturday in Denver, so we'll have to wait and see if Finch will be able to join the team or if Nori will assume head coaching duties to open the series against the Nuggets.