Chris Finch Suffers Injury, Assistant Takes Over as Timberwolves Win Playoff Series

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch was forced off the court due to a ruptured right patellar tendon following an accidental collision with point guard Mike Conley during their game against the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday night. With two minutes remaining and his team trailing, Conley picked up a foul by Devin Booker while racing upcourt; upon meeting Finch who was positioned next to the scorers’ table at this moment of time, both men went crashing down after contact. Timberwolves players immediately surrounded their coach as he received assistance from staff members and left for the locker room with a standing ovation from fans in attendance. Assistant Micah Nori took over coaching duties on the spot until proceedings finished shortly afterward owing to Finch’s mishap, which resulted in Minnesota emerging victorious 122-116 after completing their first playoff series sweep since 2004 – a significant moment for both Timberwolves and NBA history. Afterward, Nori expressed his admiration for the coach’s spirit as he relayed that Finch had suffered damage to his lower leg following an injury update by medical personnel at courtside during the game’s aftermath. Anthony Edwards later added on ‘Inside The NBA,’ “That’s our Coach of the Year, and I hate seeing him go down like that.” Prior to Sunday’s encounter against Phoenix Suns in Round One, Finch was recognized as one of three finalists for this season’s prestigious coaching award. He led his team to a 56-26 record – an outstanding performance from the Timberwolves and their second-best showing throughout franchise history.