Head coach Chris Finch and the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in the process of gearing up for their upcoming second round playoff series vs the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets. Minnesota got to this point by dispatching the Phoenix Suns in a shocking sweep in the first round of the playoffs, although the team endured a scare when Finch suffered a torn patellar tendon toward the end of Game 4 of that series after a collision with Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley.

The injury called into question whether Finch would be available to coach for the next round vs the Nuggets, but if the latest reports are any indication, it seems that there is now increased optimism on that front.

“Good news: There is increased optimism that Minnesota coach Chris Finch (torn patellar tendon) will be seated near bench for Timberwolves-Nuggets Western Conference semifinals tipping off on Saturday night,” reported NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium on X, the social media platform formerly referred to as Twitter.

Charania also added additional context to his report, including how the Timberwolves are adjusting their coaching plans due to the injury.

“Assistant coach Micah Nori will take the more active role with Finch's mobility limited, and Nori is expected to have the Coach of the Year candidate along the bench area,” reported Charania.

How far can Minnesota go?

The Timberwolves looked utterly dominant in their sweep of the Suns in the first round, led by emerging superstar Anthony Edwards as well as the team's vaunted defensive attack, which showed no signs of diminishing from their success in the regular season.

The Timberwolves are understandably the underdogs against the reigning champion Nuggets, although it should be noted that Denver didn't exactly look all that impressive in their first round series vs the Los Angeles Lakers, which they won in five games but trailed in every game by double digits.

In any case, Game 1 of the Timberwolves vs Nuggets series is slated to take place on Saturday evening from the Ball Arena in Denver at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be carried nationally by TNT.