NBA Rumors: Wolves HC Chris Finch Set for Surgery on Injury, Uncertain for Nuggets G1

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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch is questionable to be on the bench for the start of the Western Conference semifinals after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in Sunday's win over the Phoenix Suns.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, Finch will undergo surgery on Wednesday, and it's unclear if he will be able to coach when the T-Wolves' series against the Denver Nuggets begins Saturday.

Wojnarowski and Shelburne noted the early stages of the post-surgery rehab process will require Finch's leg to be immobilized in a brace.

If Finch can't be on the sidelines for the game, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori will assume coaching duties. Finch will be able to communicate with the bench from the locker room.

Finch will be able to travel with the team when it flies to Denver on Friday, "barring any complications" with his surgery.

The injury occurred with 1:40 remaining in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 122-116 win over the Suns to close out their first-round series.

Mike Conley Jr. was bringing the ball up the court near the sidelines when he was forced out of bounds by Devin Booker. Conley made incidental contact with Finch, who went down holding his right knee.

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Timberwolves coach Chris Finch left to the locker room after a sideline collision with Mike Conley<br><br>Wishing him well 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/0P1NAiQ7oG">pic.twitter.com/0P1NAiQ7oG</a>

Finch had to be helped off the court by two Timberwolves staff members. The team confirmed after the game he ruptured his patellar tendon.

Nori said that Finch was "in good spirits" while speaking to reporters during the postgame press conference.

Finch's injury spoiled what has otherwise been a fantastic start to the playoffs for the Timberwolves. Their four-game sweep over the Suns was the franchise's first postseason series victory since the 2004 Western Conference semifinals.

The Timberwolves' 56 wins during the regular season were their most since the 2003-04 team won 58 games. They will take on the defending NBA champion Nuggets in Denver on Saturday.