Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch is set for a lengthy recovery process as he prepares to undergo surgery on the knee injury he sustained in the closing stages of Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs versus the Phoenix Suns.
The image of the 54-year-old sprawled on the floor during his team's series clinching 122-116 win after a collision with Mike Conley during the fourth quarter. It was since ascertained that the coach had sustained a patellar tendon tear injury, with Finch set to go under the knife on May 1.
That is according to ESPN , who have reported that he will need to wear a brace on his leg after surgery, meaning he could be absent from the sidelines for upcoming games. His presence on the bench for Game 1 in the Western Conference semifinal series versus the Denver Nuggets is purportedly in doubt and he may be forced to do his job from the locker room.
Helped off the court with less than two minutes left on the clock versus the Suns in their playoff clash, he immediately was left grimacing after clashing with Conley. The latter had been forced off court after a coming together with Phoenix's Devin Booker, leaving Finch in his way.
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Now, assistant coach Micah Nori is readying himself to lead the team in his superior's absence as he confirmed: "Everybody has their role, everybody has each other's back,. I know it sounds corny, but it's just next man up - even with the coaching staff," he said, before issuing an update on his colleague's outlook, as well as the feeling in the locker room, adding: "He’s obviously in good spirits and so are the guys."
As for the inadvertent perpetrator of the injury, Conley appeared to take a tongue-in-cheek approach as he discussed what had occurred in the aftermath. He joked: "I told him to sit his (butt) down — he shouldn't be standing up like that late in the game. He's in the way. But prayers up for him, I'm sure he'll be fine."
It now remains to be seen what impact the injury to the popular coach will have on morale within the Minnesota camp during their third playoff run in as many years. Previously, the talismanic Anthony Edwards has been among those who have spoke in glowing terms about life under Finch's watch.
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He said earlier in the campaign: "Not even just building a relationship with me, the entire team, the entire organization. He’s just a likable person. He’s a great coach. He will coach you hard and he comes in ready to work every day. You look forward to working with someone like that."
Reflecting on a night to remember on a personal level versus the Suns in Game 4, the shooting guard was overcome with glee after dispatching of his own hero in the process. Having been locked in a contest with Kevin Durant throughout the series, the Timberwolves ace scored 40 points to in the series clincher.
"It's the best feeling in the world to send him home. Out. Whatever you want to call it," Edwards later said: "I don't even think I outplayed him, he played great throughout the whole series, but my team outplayed his. To come out victorious is the best feeling ever, to beat him, because he’s my favorite player of all time."
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