Timberwolves Insider Makes Final Call on Chris Finch Hot Seat

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Squire | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 3:04 PM ET

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch pushed back when asked if his team's historic meltdown against the Milwaukee Bucks was a microcosm of their rollercoaster season.

“It’s a bad fourth quarter against a zone defense. I don’t think it’s a microcosm of the season.” Finch said after the Wolves became the fifth team in nearly three decades to lose after leading by 24 or more points entering the fourth quarter in 110-103 loss to the Bucks on April 8.

The Wolves, who had led confidently for three quarters, went cold from the field, shooting 4 of 20 overall, and turned the ball over nine times in the final 12 minutes, resulting in just 13 points compared to the Bucks' 40.

No matter Finch's opinion, the game rehashed season-long concerns for the Timberwolves, who have been unable to close out games. No team has played more clutch-time games -- where the lead is less than five points in the final five minutes -- than the Wolves, who are 20-26 in those scenarios.

That's led to some calls for Finch to be fired, especially in light of the Denver Nuggets' ousting of Michael Malone the same day and the Memphis Grizzlies' firing of Taylor Jenkins on April 1.

Local beat reporter Darren Wolfson of KSTP addressed Finch's job security as the NBA has seen several playoff-bound teams make changes in the final weeks of the regular season.

"Unless the Wolves fail miserably, like lose 4-0 in the first round or perhaps if they end up in the play-in not even making the playoffs, I would say let's circle back, but right now I have no sense that Chris Finch is in any sort of trouble," Wolfson said April 10 on SKOR North.

Wolfson noted several defining wins of the season, including victories over the Oklahoma City Thunder, rallying from a 25-point deficit to win 131-128 in February and beating the Houston Rockets in December after trailing by 16 points with under five minutes remaining.

However, that doesn't disqualify that the Wolves have not been consistent, making for a wild ride wherever the Wolves land in the postseason.

It seems apparent that Finch is safe for now, but if the Timberwolves cannot put forth more consistency in a playoff series, Finch's job security could come under question.

"This team, even on a nightly basis, you just don't know what version is going to show up. It is the most rollercoaster of a season that I can recall. I'm trying to have some perspective, we just don't know what Wolves team is going to show up," Wolfson added.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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