The NBA play-offs have the first of the conference semifinalists. In the West, Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 122 to 116 on Sunday night and thus swept the series 4 to 0. However, beyond the resounding victory of the Minneapolis franchise, the news was the unusual injury caused by a player from the winning team… to his own coach, who will have to undergo surgery.
There were just a few minutes left before the end of the game that was played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and at that moment the incredible action occurred. Timberwolves player Mike Conley was moving the ball near the sideline when he received a slight push from local basketball player Devin Booker. When he left the field due to the rival’s friction, he wanted to stop so as not to run over his coach, who could not run and received the shock of 10.
Immediately, he sat on the floor, helped by Conley and with a clear expression of pain on his face. After being in the same position for several minutes and being attended to by his staff’s medical team, the coach left the field accompanied by two collaborators, who took him to the locker room to find out what his situation was. At first, Everyone was worried and thought it could have been much worse, but then they brought peace of mind.
After the match, which in those last moments had assistant Micah Nori leading the team and in which he is also the Argentinian Pablo Priggioni as the team’s offensive coach, several American media confirmed that Finch suffered a ruptured patellar tendon. Additionally, you will need to undergo surgery, with a minimum healing time of six months, but it may take up to a year to fully recover.
Once in the locker room, the Minnesota Timberwolves social networks published photos showing Finch sitting in the locker room, celebrating with the players. Also with crutches hugging his players for the important victory they obtained.
“He’s obviously in a good mood and so are the guys,” team assistant Nori said. Conley, for his part, revealed that he did not see Finch until the last moment and tried to hold him after the collision. “I told him to sit down, that he shouldn’t be standing like that at the end of the game. We pray for him, I am sure he will be fine,” added the experienced point guard.
Minnesota’s victory allowed it to reach the semifinals of the Western Conference, where the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers awaits, who dominate the Colorado team by 3 to 1. Arizona’s figure of the day was Anthony Edwards, who scored 40 points. In addition, he was followed by the Dominican Karl-Antonhy Towns, with 28 points and 10 rebounds. This is the first time in 20 years that the Timberwolves have advanced to the postseason.
The NBA play-offs don’t stop. In the rest of the Western series, the LA Clippers beat Dallas 116-111 (2-2) and this Monday night they will play the Oklahoma City Thunder against the New Orleans Pelicans: the number 1 team in the conference is ahead 3- 0, and if he wins today he will advance to the round.
In the East, the Boston Celtics are 2-1 in the series against the Miami Heat, while the tie between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers is tied (2-2). For its part, Indiana Pacers is 3-1 ahead against the Milwaukee Bucks, the same result with which the New York Knicks dominate their series with the Philadelphia 76ers.