Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch will undergo surgery to repair his right patellar tendon on Wednesday. It is unclear whether he will be able to coach the team’s Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets from the bench.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Finch will have to keep his right leg immobilized in a brace while he begins rehabilitation.
On most NBA betting sites, the Timberwolves hold four short odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks show the best odds for the Boston Celtics, Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks.
In the early stages of rehabilitation, the surgery will require Finch’s right leg to be immobilized in a brace. If Finch can’t park on the sideline to start the series, assistant Micah Nori will coach Game 1 — and Finch may talk to the bench in the locker room, sources said.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2024
If Finch is unable to sit out the start of the series, reliever Micah Nori will coach Game 1 on Saturday. In addition, Finch may address games on the bench from the locker room, sources told Wojnarowski.
Finch, who finished third in NBA Coach of the Year voting, is expected to travel to Denver with the team on Friday. Minnesota wrapped up its first playoff series in franchise history against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee
Additionally, Finch was injured in the final minutes of the Timberwolves’ Game 4 victory on Sunday after Minnesota guard Mike Conley collided with him after rolling over on a sideline kick.
Finch led the Timberwolves to their best regular season record (56-26). The Timberwolves made the playoffs in Finch’s first three seasons.
Assistant coach Nori took over for Finch in the final 1:41 of Game 4.
Chris Finch tore his hamstring tonight in this match
-You will need surgery almost between rounds
-Healing time is 6 months but usually 1 year before feeling normal pic.twitter.com/9iF94UOOWq
– Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 29, 2024
“Everyone has their role, everyone has each other’s back,” said Nori. “I know it sounds bad, but it’s still the next man, even the coaching staff.”
Nori has spent three seasons (2021-present) with Finch in Minnesota. He made other stops with the Toronto Raptors (2009-13), Sacramento Kings (2013-15), Nuggets (2015-18), Detroit Pistons (2018-21).
In addition, the Timberwolves swept the Suns for their first four-game sweep in Minnesota professional sports history. That includes the Wolves, Wild, and Twins as well as the North Stars and Minneapolis Lakers.
It was also the Wolves’ first playoff series since defeating the Sacramento Kings in seven games in the 2004 Western Conference semifinals. Minnesota had lost its previous first-round series.
