In a twist of fate, the Minnesota Timberwolves are heading into their second-round playoff showdown with the Denver Nuggets facing a bench predicament. Their head coach, Chris Finch, is sidelined due to knee surgery after a collision with Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley. Sources reveal that Finch’s ruptured right patellar tendon will undergo repair surgery on Wednesday, leaving him with a mere three days of recovery before Game 1 against Denver. Typically, such procedures require more immobilization time, and Finch will likely need crutches for a while. It’s doubtful he’ll be on the bench for the series opener given the confined space of an NBA sideline.
Assistant coach Micah Nori has stepped up before, taking charge when Finch exited late in the Game 4 victory against Phoenix. Nori also filled in earlier in March when Finch was unwell. The coaching staff, bonded by a strong chemistry, will collectively fill any voids left by Finch’s absence.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers face their own playoff hurdle as Kawhi Leonard sits out Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee inflammation. This marks Leonard’s third absence in the series out of five games. Despite his return in Games 2 and 3, Leonard’s performance was subpar, and the Clippers surprisingly won the games he missed while losing the ones he played.
In another playoff saga, the Miami Heat will be without rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. for their critical Game 5 against the Boston Celtics. Jaquez Jr. joins a growing list of sidelined Miami starters including Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier due to injuries, along with the prolonged absence of Josh Richardson following shoulder surgery. Jaquez Jr. suffered a strained right hip flexor in Game 4 against the Celtics and did not travel with the team for Game 5.
Switching gears to boxing, Mike Tyson’s upcoming bout against Jake Paul in Texas has been greenlit as a competitive match rather than an exhibition. Set for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the fight will feature shorter rounds and heavier gloves, approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
In soccer, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. Vinícius Júnior starred for Madrid with a brace, ensuring the tie remains wide open as they head into the second leg in Madrid on May 8. The winners of this semifinal will face off against either Borussia Dortmund or Paris Saint-Germain in the final in London on June 1.
