Kosport Magazine: Timberwolves coach Chris Finch leads practice day after surgery
It’s not every day that a coach leads his team through practice just one day after having surgery, but that’s exactly what Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch did. Despite having a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, Finch was back on the court, crutches and all, leading his team through drills and interacting with players.
Finch’s determination and toughness have not gone unnoticed by his team and the organization. “Finch is obviously a leader and a super tough guy,” said Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. “I have a ton of respect for him bouncing back so quickly. He’s chomping at the bit to get back out there. He’s really excited about the series and it’s great to have him back.”
Connelly also mentioned that Finch led the team in film and on the court, showing his dedication to his team and his job. The Wolves are set to face off against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, and while it’s unclear if Finch will travel with the team, the plan is to have him in Denver for Game 1.
Assistant coach Micah Nori will be the acting head coach while Finch is out, but the team has full faith in their staff to continue their success. “Micah is going to make a great head coach when some smart team hires him,” Connelly said. “The whole staff is really connected. I think Finch empowers those guys. So it’s a collective, it’s not just about one person. We have next man up with players and it’s the same with coaches.”
Finch’s impact on the team has been evident, as he finished third in the NBA’s Coach of the Year voting and led the Timberwolves to a 56-26 record and the No. 3 seed. This season has been one of the most successful in the team’s 35-year history, and the sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round was just the third playoff series win in franchise history.
Kosport Magazine Summary:
Despite having surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was back on the court leading his team through practice just one day later. His determination and toughness have not gone unnoticed, and the team has full faith in their staff to continue their success in the playoffs. Finch’s impact on the team has been evident, as he finished third in the NBA’s Coach of the Year voting and led the Timberwolves to their second-most wins in franchise history.
