Chris Finch on crutches for Timberwolves: How did he injure himself?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to make history in the NBA playoffs this year. The 35-year-old franchise has never before clinched a conference title but this year’s post-season journey got off to the perfect start with a 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round.

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They progressed to take on the Denver Nuggets in the semi-finals but suffered a shock in the form of a serious injury to head coach Chris Finch. The 54-year-old arrived at Ball Arena on crutches for Game 1 against the Nuggets. Finch had sustained a freak injury in a collision with a member of his own team in the Game 4 victory over the Suns.

How did Chris Finch suffer his injury?

Chris Finch tore his patellar tendon after a collision with Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley towards the end of Game 4 against the Suns. As he was dribbling close to the sideline Conley was bumped into by the Suns’ Devin Brooker and proceeded to crash into his coach, who fell to the ground clutching his knee. Finch was helped to the locker room and assistant Micah Nori took charge for the last 1:41 of the game.

The Timberwolves later posted photos of the 54-year-old being consoled by Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, with Nori revealing in the post-game press conference that Finch was “in good spirits” after the incident. It was then confirmed, however, that the coach had ruptured his patellar tendon, a ligament which connects the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia).

Will Chris Finch need surgery?

Writing on social media, sports injury analyst Dr Evan Jeffries revealed that surgery will likely be required and the recovery usually takes around six months. However it can take up to a year to feel completely normal.

The Timberwolves haven’t confirmed when Finch will go under the knife or what his status for the remainder of the playoffs will be. Jeffries suggested that Finch could have an operation between rounds, quickly returning to take up his usual place courtside.

According to Dr Pamela Mehta of Resilience Orthopaedics, “in the first few weeks after surgery, the knee will be immobilized in a brace or cast” and sufferers “need to use crutches to avoid putting weight on the leg”. As Finch is coaching rather than playing he can get his points across sitting down, or with the aid of some crutches on the touchline. It looks like it’s business as usual for the Timberwolves in the conference semi-finals, albeit with a less mobile head coach on the sideline.