Timberwolves extend Chris Finch’s contract for several years

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Timberwolves announced on Monday that they have signed a multi-year contract extension with head coach Chris Finch.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves and Finch have agreed to a four-year deal that will keep him in Minnesota through the 2027-28 season. Finch was a finalist for the NBA Coach of the Year award after leading the Timberwolves to a 56-win regular season, the franchise’s best since 2004 and second-best in team history.

Finch also led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals for the first time since Kevin Garnett’s team did so in 2004.

“I want to thank Glen, Becky and the entire organization for their continued support and commitment to me and the team,” Finch said in a statement. “I am proud of how we have been able to establish a great culture here at the Timberwolves and I look forward to continuing to lead this organization and make our fans proud.”

“Chris is a wonderful coach and an even better person,” President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly said in a statement. “We are thrilled to see him rewarded with a well-deserved contract extension. Under his leadership, the team has improved each year and he is the perfect leader for our organization.”

Under Finch’s leadership, the Timberwolves finished the 2023-24 season with the NBA’s best defense (108.4).

Finch has led the Timberwolves to three straight playoff appearances, and off the court, it hasn’t been the easiest road. Gersson Rosas was fired as head of basketball operations, and there is an ongoing ownership dispute between Glen Taylor, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore that is set to be settled in court.

Since being hired to replace Ryan Saunders, Finch has compiled a 160-127 record in over three seasons. He even coached through injury in the playoffs after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee in the decisive game against the Phoenix Suns. He also helped lead the Timberwolves from a 15-point deficit to a Game 7 win in Denver in the Western Conference semifinals and has made the Karl-Anthony Towns/Rudy Gobert duo work since Connelly acquired Gobert in a huge trade.

Now Finch has a well-deserved long-term home in Minnesota,