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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was helped off the court after a midgame collision with point guard Mike Conley during the team’s game against the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday.
A team spokesperson told CNN that Finch suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon – which connects the kneecap to the shin bone.
The collision occurred when just two minutes were left in the game. Conley was fouled by Suns guard Devin Booker as he was running up the court. Conley then collided with 54-year-old Finch, who was standing near the scorer’s table, causing the coach to fall to the ground.
Timberwolves players surrounded Finch as he was escorted to the locker room by staff members.
The fans gave the coach a standing ovation as he left the court, and Timberwolves assistant coach Mika Nori finished the game in his place.
The Timberwolves defeated the Suns, winning 122–116, and advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs. This is Minnesota’s first playoff series win since 2004 and the franchise’s first postseason win.
After the game, Norrie told reporters that Finch had injured his lower leg.
“The whole team went into the medical room and he was obviously in a very good mood and so were other people,” Nori said.
Minnesota All-Star guard Anthony Edwards told “Inside the NBA” that he would run after talking to reporters to find out how his coaches are doing.
“He’s coach of the year and I hate to see him lose like that,” Edwards said.
Finch, who is in his fourth season as the team’s head coach, finished third in voting for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award on Sunday. He led the Timberwolves to a 56–26 record, the second-best record in franchise history.
