PHOENIX — While his players and coaching staff were on-court celebrating a historic playoff sweep in Phoenix Sunday night, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was nursing a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee after an odd collision with point guard Mike Conley.
The incident happened in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter of the Wolves' 122-116 win, sweeping the first-round series and advancing to the second round for the first time since 2004.
Finch was helped off the court and later left the arena on a cart. The Timberwolves later confirmed the nature of Finch's injury.
Conley was trying to dribble down the sideline when he collided with Suns star Devin Booker and ran into Finch. Conley tried to brace their fall but Finch went down hard, grimacing and immediately grabbing for his right knee. The coach was down for a few minutes, surrounded by Minnesota players, coaches and staff, before slowly getting up and being assisted off the court.
Assistant coach Micah Nori directed the team for the final 1:41. Nori said Finch was in the medical room getting checked out and that the team went down to see him after the game.
“He’s obviously in good spirits and so are the guys,” Nori said.
Conley said he didn't see Finch until the last moment and tried to hold him up following the collision. The veteran guard couldn't help but tell a joke or two at the coach's expense after the Game 4 victory.
“I told him to sit his (butt) down — he shouldn't be standing up like that late in the game," Conley said. "He's in the way. But prayers up for him, I'm sure he'll be fine.”
The Wolves are off until at least Saturday, meaning Finch will have a bit of time to rest and recover. They will take on the winner of the series between Denver and the LA Lakers.
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