According to sources who spoke with network giant ESPN, the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chris Finch, will have surgery in order to restore his right patellar tendon.
However, it is not known if he will be available for the commencement of Western Conference Semifinals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, in the initial stage of the rehabilitation process, the head coach will be required to keep his right leg still, without doing any movement and in a brace.
As per the report, assistant Micah Nori will coach Game 1 if Finch is unable to be on the sidelines. According to the sources, the head coach would communicate from the locker room. Finch will be able to travel with the team to Denver.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch left to the locker room after a sideline collision with Mike Conley
Wishing him well 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0P1NAiQ7oG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2024
Timberwolves HC Chris Finch will receive surgery to repair his right Patellar tendon Wednesday, per @wojespn and @ramonashelburne
It is still unclear if he will be on the bench to open the conference semifinals vs. Denver pic.twitter.com/WcFgPGOaKk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 30, 2024
The injury to the head coach occurred in the fourth quarter of Game 4. Mike Conley Jr. was running with possession of the ball near the sidelines when Devin Booker made contact with him, sending him straight into a collision with the head coach, who was standing on the sidelines.
He was helped off the court by Minnesota’s staff and under Finch, the Timberwolves have achieved great success, ending their regular season with a 56-26 record. Nori had also shared that he was “in good spirits” when he spoke to the reporters regarding Finch’s condition during the post game press conference.
