During the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns on April 28, Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley collided with coach Chris Finch. Conley was dribbling the ball along the sideline when he was bumped by Suns’ Devin Booker causing him to lose control. The momentum from the bump carried Conley off the court, where he crashed into Finch who was standing nearby.
The collision resulted in a torn patellar tendon in Finch’s right knee. The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone and is crucial for extending the knee.
Reports say that Finch immediately grabbed his knee and grimaced in pain after the incident. He was helped off the court and the Timberwolves later confirmed the torn tendon diagnosis.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was injured after this collision with Mike Conley pic.twitter.com/jgoneBwjiE
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 29, 2024
Despite the unfortunate event, the Timberwolves were able to win the game 122-116, completing a sweep of the first-round playoff series against the Suns. It was their first series win and advancement to the second round since 2004.
Assistant coach Micah Nori informed that Finch was in good spirits despite the injury.
Note: A torn patellar tendon is a serious injury and typically requires surgery to repair. Recovery time can take several months.
Minnesota Timberwolves Current Standings
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished the regular season of the 2023-24 NBA season in a strong position! They secured the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with a record of 56 wins and 26 losses. This puts them in a good position for the playoffs, with home-court advantage for the first round.
While conference standing is more important for playoffs, it’s worth noting they finished 2nd in the Northwest Division. The Denver Nuggets clinched the division title with 57 wins.
When is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ next game?
Minnesota Timberwolves’ next game will be in the second round, depending on the outcome of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers series. If the Nuggets win, the Timberwolves will play them starting on May 4th. If the Lakers win, they will play the Timberwolves starting on May 6th. The location of the first game will also depend on the opponent.
