Chris Finchthe coach of The Minnesota Timberwolveswas forced this Sunday to leave his team’s match against Phoenix Sunsafter suffering a chance collision on the sideline with the point guard Mike Conley which caused a knee injury.
In the fourth quarter, the Wolves point guard was running at full speed in a play against one of the fullbacks and was unable to stop before colliding with Finch, who received a hard blow to his right knee and fell to the ground.
The coach was treated by medical services and surrounded by his players before leaving the field limping and with help. After the match he was seen walking with crutches through the hallways of the stadium.
Shams Charaniaone of the journalists with the best sources within the NBA, assured on the portal The Athletic that the Wolves They fear that Finch has a tear in the patellar ligament in his right knee.
This unfortunate incident was the only negative note of a splendid night for the Wolves, who beat the Phoenix Suns 116-122 and closed the 4-0 sweep in the first round of the West.
In the conference semifinals they will face the winner of the series between the Nuggets and the Lakers, who dominate the Denver team 3-1.
This is the first time the Minneapolis-based franchise has achieved a sweep in its history.
Furthermore, this was the first series won in the playoff by Minnesota in 20 years, that is, since that 2003-2004 season in which the team led by Kevin Garnett lost in the Western final against Los Angeles Lakers of Kobe Bryant y Shaquille O’Neal.
Clippers survive Mavericks comeback
Los Angeles Clippers defeated 116-111 Dallas Mavericks surviving a 31-point comeback from the team of Luka Doncic.
From dominating 55-24 in the middle of the second quarter, the Clippers found themselves behind on the scoreboard two minutes from the end but resisted the onslaught despite the loss of their leader, Kawhi Leonarddue to his knee problems.
Paul George y James Hardenboth with 33 points, prevailed in their vibrant duel against the Mavericks’ stellar duo formed by Kyrie Irvingwho achieved 40, and Doncicwho scored a triple double of 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
“It was a show, a confrontation between elite players, (future members) of the Hall of Fame. You can’t do much defensively,” Harden described the clash.
The Los Angeles team surprised the Mavericks in a brilliant start in which they bombed them from the outside line.
Dallas was cutting ground until Doncic tied it at 98 with a three-pointer with five minutes remaining.
Two minutes later, a stratospheric basket by Irving put the Mavericks ahead for the first time since the first quarter but Harden and George appeared to rescue the Clippers.
Between them, they were in charge of scoring the last 18 points of their team with several impossible baskets that undermined the morale of the Mavericks, who lost the home field advantage in the series.
New York embittered Philadelphia with a record
In the East, the New York Knicks They beat the 97-92 at home Philadelphia 76ers con 47 points and 10 assists from Jalen Brunson and they were 3-1 in the first round series.
The point guard thus broke the scoring record for a franchise player in the postseason, which he held Bernard King with two 46-point games in the 1984 playoffs.
The Sixers of Joel Embiidwho finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, now need to win three games in a row, starting with Tuesday’s visit to Madison Square Garden.
Pacers take advantage
In Indiana, the Pacers absences due to injury exploded Giannis Antetokounmpo y Damian Lillard to beat the Milwaukee Bucks by 126-113.
The pivot Myles Turner was the top scorer with 29 points and 7 triples and the point guard Tyrese Haliburton He contributed another 24 and 5 for the Pacers who are contemplating their return to the second round after a decade of waiting. They lead the series 3-1.