Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns Sunday night after one of his own players, Mike Conley, inadvertently collided with him on the sidelines.
The scary moment happened with less than two minutes left in the game and the Timberwolves up four points. Conley tumbled into Finch on the sidelines after being fouled by Suns shooting guard Devin Booker.
Finch was unable to get up on his own following the collision. He was helped to the locker room and did not reappear for the rest of the game.
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Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori stepped into Finch's role for the final 1:41 of the game, which Minnesota won 122-116 to complete a series sweep and earn its first playoff series victory in 20 years.
Finch was seen using crutches after the game, but Nori said the win eased some of the pain.
“He’s obviously in good spirits and so are the guys,” Nori said.
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Conley was in good spirits after his team's victory, as well, telling reporters a joke at his coach's expense.
“I told him to sit his (butt) down — he shouldn't be standing up like that late in the game," Conley said. "He's in the way. But prayers up for him, I'm sure he'll be fine.”
