Sources: Wolves, Finch agree on 4-year extension

After the best season in franchise history, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has agreed on a four-year contract extension that will take him through the 2027-28 season, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Finch has delivered the Timberwolves to three consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in 20 years and has accelerated 2020 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards‘ growth into one of the league’s most prodigious talents.

On the way to the Western Conference finals — where Minnesota lost in five games to Dallas — Finch suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon after point guard Mike Conley collided into Finch on the sideline in a Game 4 victory over Phoenix in the opening round. Finch had surgery and needed his top assistant Micah Nori to do the standing on the sideline for the rest of the playoffs.

Despite some skepticism, Finch managed to make work the frontcourt pairing of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns — building league-leading defensive efficiency. The Timberwolves were also second in rim protection and second in paint points allowed per game this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Finch has gone 160-127 ( .557) in parts of four seasons on the job, including a 56-26 record on the way to the Western finals this season. Minnesota overcame a 15-point halftime deficit — largest in Game 7 history — to beat Denver in the Western Conference semifinals.