PHOENIX — Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was helped off the court late in his team’s 122-116 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night with a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee after one of the players his clashed with him in the secondary task.
The collision came with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves’ victory to sweep the Suns in four games. Minnesota point guard Mike Conley was driving down the court and was forced out of bounds by Suns guard Devin Booker, who was called for a foul.
Conley collided with Finch, who went down clutching his right knee. Finch was surrounded by Timberwolves players and staff before being helped onto and off the court. The team later confirmed that he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon.
Finch left the arena in a wheelchair and did not speak to the media postgame, with assistant coach Micah Nori handling those duties.
Nori said Finch was in the medical room getting checked out and the team went to see him after the game.
“They’re obviously in good spirits, and so are the kids,” Nori said.
Norrie took over for the final 1:41 of the game as the Wolves closed with relative ease.
“Everyone has their role, everyone has each other’s back,” Nori said. “I know it sounds weird, but he’s next, even with the coaching staff.”
Earlier Sunday, Finch was announced as the third vote-getter behind winner Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and runner-up Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic for NBA Coach of the Year. Finch led Minnesota to the second most wins in franchise history.
