Chris Finch Suffers Patellar Tendon Rupture in Collision
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch faced a dramatic moment during the team’s game against the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday. A mid-game collision with point guard Mike Conley led to Finch being helped off the court after suffering a rupture to his right patellar tendon, as confirmed by a team spokesperson.
The incident occurred with just under two minutes left in the game when Conley collided with Finch near the scorer’s table, knocking the coach to the ground. Timberwolves players and staff members immediately surrounded Finch, who was then assisted to the locker room. Despite the injury, fans showed their support with a standing ovation as Finch left the court.
Assistant coach Micah Nori took over for Finch, as the Timberwolves went on to secure a 122-116 victory over the Suns, advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs. This win marked Minnesota’s first playoff series victory since 2004 and the franchise’s first-ever post-season sweep.
Coach’s Resilience and Team Support
Following the game, Nori informed reporters that Finch took a hit to his lower leg but remained in good spirits. All-star guard Anthony Edwards expressed concern for his injured coach, highlighting Finch’s importance to the team and his impressive coaching achievements.
Finch, who finished third in the NBA’s Coach of the Year award voting on the same day, led the Timberwolves to a notable 56-26 record during the season, marking the second-best performance in franchise history.