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 because of a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee after that one of his players collided with him on the field. sideline.
The collision occurred with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves’ final 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 cautioned for a foul.
Conley collided with Finch, who fell holding his right knee. Finch was surrounded by Timberwolves players and staff before being helped on and off the court. The team later confirmed that he had ruptured his patella tendon.
Finch left the arena on a cart and did not speak to the media after the game, with assistant coach Micah Nori handling those duties.
Nori said Finch was in the medical room being examined and the team came down to see him after the game.
“He’s obviously in a good mood, just like the guys,” Nori said.
Nori took over for the final 1:41 of the game as the Wolves finished with relative ease.
“Everyone has their role, everyone supports each other,” Nori said. “I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s just next man up, even with the coaching staff.”
Earlier Sunday, Finch was announced as the third winner behind winner Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and runner-up Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic for the NBA Coach of the Year. Finch, who led Minnesota to the second-most wins in franchise history, earned one first-place vote and a total of 105 points.
