Minnesota Timberwolves sign head coach Chris Finch, staff to contract extension
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves are gearing up to potentially earn a playoff spot for just the second time since 2004, and they’ve secured some stability with the coaching staff in the process.
The Timberwolves announced Monday morning the've signed head coach Chris Finch, and his staff, to a multi-year contract extension. Finch led the Timberwolves to a 46-36 record in the regular season, the team’s second-highest mark since they won 58 regular season games in 2003-04. Their 46 wins is also double the win total from the 2020-21 season.
"I'm excited. I'm honored. I'm happy they believe in the work that we're doing. The initial steps were good ones. Hopefully just laying the foundation for future success," Finch told reporters after Monday's practice at Mayo Clinic Square.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch gives instructions to Anthony Edwards #1 against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 03, 2022 in Houston, Texas. ((Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images))
Finch was hired in February of 2021 to replace Ryan Saunders, who was fired after the team got off to a 7-24 start. Finch went 16-23 to end that season, and now has 62 wins as the Timberwolves’ head coach. That mark over that stretch is good fourth in team history, and his .504 win percentage is second behind Flip Saunders.
Minnesota’s 46-36 record this season is seventh-best in franchise history, including a 26-15 mark at Target Center and a 32-20 record against the Western Conference. The Timberwolves led the NBA with 115.9 points per game, and led the league with 1,211 made 3-pointers in the regular season.
Timberwolves' players heard the news Monday morning from Sachin Gupta, the team's executive vice president of basketball operations.
"When Sachin called me this morning, I immediately texted Finchy and was like ‘Yo, congratulations. Happy that y’all are going to be here with me for the next years that I’m here.’ It was exciting," guard Anthony Edwards said. "I feel like once we picked Finchy up, I knew he was going to be here. I knew they couldn’t get rid of him, he’s great at what he do."
They also led the NBA in forcing opponents into 16.3 turnovers per game, and turning those into 19.8 points. The Timberwolves finished tied for third in the NBA in blocked shots, and steals.
Most importantly, the Timberwolves have stability moving forward in a franchise that’s lacked that for several years. Gupta, who took over the front office after Gersson Rosas was dismissed, didn't hesitate to keep Finch in Minnesota long-term when the opportunity presented itself.
"This is an easy decision. They're not always easy decisions in this business, but this one was a very easy one. Coach has been a terrific partner for me and the results on the floor are clear," Gupta said Monday.
The Timberwolves host the L.A. Clippers Tuesday night at Target Center, needing a win to secure the No. 7 seed for the Western Conference Playoffs. A loss, and the Timberwolves would host the New Orleans Pelicans/San Antonio Spurs winner Friday night in an elimination game for the No. 8 seed.
"This game is important. I feel like this is the biggest game of my career since I’ve been playing basketball. It’s really important, I feel like we’ve got to come out and do what we gotta do," Edwards said.