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04/30 13:02 CDT Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to have surgery on knee after
sideline collision, AP source says
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to have surgery on knee after sideline
collision, AP source says
By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) --- The Minnesota Timberwolves will enter their second round
playoff series against defending champion Denver with an unsettled bench ---
coach Chris Finch will be recovering from knee surgery.
Finch, who was hurt in a sideline collision with Timberwolves point guard Mike
Conley, will have his ruptured right patellar tendon repaired Wednesday,
according to a person with knowledge of the plan. The person spoke to The
Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet
made the details public. ESPN first reported the news.
The surgery will leave Finch with only three days of recovery before Game 1 in
Denver, and this type of procedure typically requires the leg to be immobilized
for more time than that. He'll need crutches for awhile, too. The cramped space
on an NBA sideline makes it difficult to envision Finch being able to be on the
bench for the beginning of the series.
Assistant coach Micah Nori took the lead after Finch hobbled off late in the
Game 4 win at Phoenix that completed the first round sweep. Nori also coached
the team March 8 at Cleveland when Finch was ill. Filling any voids will be a
team effort from a staff that has developed a strong sense of chemistry in the
short time it's been together.
Conley was dribbling up the court near the boundary when Suns star Devin Booker
bumped into him, sending him hurtling toward the coach. Conley tried to brace
their fall, but the damage was already done by the impact. Finch immediately
grimaced and grabbed his knee in pain.
Finch, who finished third in the NBA Coach of the Year voting, is 160-127 in 3
years with the Timberwolves. He's 7-8 in the playoffs, having led the team
there in each of his three full seasons. Finch took over for the fired Ryan
Saunders in 2021 when he was plucked from Toronto's staff. He has also been an
assistant with New Orleans, Denver and Houston.
With the Nuggets, he was hired by coach Mike Malone, his foe for the second
straight postseason. Denver beat Minnesota in five games in the first round
last year to spark the championship run.
Game 1 is Saturday, followed by Game 2 on Monday and then a three-day break
before Game 3 in Minnesota on May 10.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
