During the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns on April 28, Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley collided with coach Chris Finch. Conley was dribbling the ball along the sideline when he was bumped by Suns’ Devin Booker causing him to lose control. The momentum from the bump carried Conley off the court, where he crashed into Finch who was standing nearby.
The collision resulted in a torn patellar tendon in Finch’s right knee. The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone and is crucial for extending the knee.
Reports say that Finch immediately grabbed his knee and grimaced in pain after the incident. He was helped off the court and the Timberwolves later confirmed the torn tendon diagnosis.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was injured after this collision with Mike Conley pic.twitter.com/jgoneBwjiE
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 29, 2024
Despite the unfortunate event, the Timberwolves were able to win the game 122-116, completing a sweep of the first-round playoff series against the Suns. It was their first series win and advancement to the second round since 2004.
Assistant coach Micah Nori informed that Finch was in good spirits despite the injury.
Note: A torn patellar tendon is a serious injury and typically requires surgery to repair. Recovery time can take several months.
