After the perfect season in franchise historical past, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has agreed on a four-year contract extension that may take him by means of the 2027-28 season, sources informed ESPN on Monday.
Finch has delivered the Timberwolves to 3 consecutive playoff appearances for the primary time in 20 years and has accelerated 2020 No. 1 general choose Anthony Edwards’ development into one of many league’s most prodigious skills.
On the way in which to the Western Convention finals — the place Minnesota misplaced in 5 video games to Dallas — Finch suffered a ruptured proper patellar tendon after level guard Mike Conley collided into Finch on the sideline in a Sport 4 victory over Phoenix within the opening spherical. Finch had surgical procedure and wanted his prime assistant Micah Nori to do the standing on the sideline for the remainder of the playoffs.
Regardless of some skepticism, Finch managed to make work the frontcourt pairing of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities — constructing league-leading defensive effectivity. The Timberwolves had been additionally second in rim safety and second in paint factors allowed per sport this season, based on ESPN Stats & Info.
Finch has gone 160-127 ( .557) in elements of 4 seasons on the job, together with a 56-26 file on the way in which to the Western finals this season. Minnesota overcame a 15-point halftime deficit — largest in Sport 7 historical past — to beat Denver within the Western Convention semifinals.