Timberwolves coach Chris Finch’s surgically repaired right knee felt better Wednesday when he began physical therapy than it did on Tuesday, and better yet Thursday than Wednesday.
“There’s less and less pain every single day,” he said. “That’s the good thing. It’s going in the right direction. The doctors are really happy. I can put a little more weight on it starting right now. The pain comes and goes in different forms, but overall it has been manageable. … I still have some moments, but it’s getting better and better.”
Finch said he has treated the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever. “I’ve tried to avoid all the strong stuff,” he said.
He underwent surgery last week to repair a knee tendon damaged in an unintended sideline collision with one of his own players, veteran point guard Mike Conley. Finch conducted practice on crutches the next day and two days later sat a row before the Wolves’ bench in a safe spot created to protect his leg during Game 1 of the team’s Western Conference semifinal series with Denver.
He coached on crutches still at Thursday’s practice and planned to scout out Target Center Thursday afternoon to find a similar place close to the action but far enough away from being getting hit again.
“I’ll map out my seat then,” he said.
The best-of-seven series resumes there Friday night with the Wolves leading 2-0.
Finch watched from that second row and passed along opinions and instructions to assistant coach Micah Nori, who worked the sidelines in Finch’s place.