Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch plans to sign up with his team in Denver for Game 1 of Saturday’s convention semifinal, three days after undergoing knee surgery, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Finch underwent surgery for a torn patellar tendon on Wednesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported.
He was injured Sunday in a collision with Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. in the Game 4 win that ended Minnesota’s first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns.
The Timberwolves are lately discussing strategies for Finch to rejoin practice for the series against the Denver Nuggets while taking care of his leg, according to the AP.
Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori told the media Wednesday that Finch “went well” and that his “morale is remarkably good. “
The Timberwolves fly to Denver on Thursday night, while Finch will likely move the holiday closer to Game 1 to give himself as much time as possible to recover from surgery, according to the AP.
Assistant coach Micah Nori met with the media today and said that Chris Finch was no longer going to have surgery, that everything went well. His spirits are remarkably good. Nori said Finch may not travel with the team that night, but the plan is for him to be in Denver. pic. twitter. com/1e4Xqatcjn
Wojnarowski said Finch’s right leg will be “pinned down in a splint” during the early stages of recovery after the procedure.
This creates a logistical challenge as to where Finch can stay out of the way while staying far enough away to avoid some other damaging collision.
If he fails to sideline him, Nori said Finch could simply watch the game from the venue and meet with players before the game and at halftime in the locker room, according to the AP.
Nori said Wolves discussed the option of Finch texting his assistant coaches during the game, but made the decision against it, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Earlier this week, Finch finished third in the voting for the 2023-24 NBA Coach of the Year. He got one first-place vote, 23 second-place votes, and 31 third-place votes after leading the Timberwolves to 56 wins in the normal. season.
Nori managed a game for the Wolves last season, when Finch was out with illness before a March 9 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While Finch has limited availability to lead the Wolves through their series against the defending champions, Nori will most likely play a “bigger role” with Minnesota, according to Krawczynski.
Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals will begin Saturday in Denver at a time to be determined.