Chris Finch Named Western Conference Coach of the Month

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NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The 15-4 Minnesota Timberwolves sit atop the Western Conference by two games, entering Monday night December 4, after a 13-2 November that went down in the Minnesota history books as one of the best months in sports history.

Chris Finch named Western Conference Coach of the Month

This afternoon, head coach Chris Finch was recognized for his role in the Wolves dominance to start the 2023-24 season, when the NBA named him Western Conference Coach of the Month for October/November.

Related: Timberwolves Just Had the Best Month of Any Non-Football Pro Team in MN Sports History

Finch is the first Minnesota Timberwolves coach to be named coach of the month since 2009 and only the third head coach in franchise history to get the honor. Kevin McHale won it in January of that year. Before him, Flip Saunders won it four times between 2000 and 2004.

Minnesota Timberwolves historic start begins with defense

Minnesota is 9-1 at Target Center, which is tied for most in franchise history to start a season. Timberwolves opponents have shot just 39.9% from the field, the first time in franchise history the Wolves have held teams under 40.0% shooting in their first 10 home games.

The Timberwolves hold opponents to the worst field goal percentage in the NBA and boast the league’s top Defensive Rating (106.7). They’ve held opponents to 40.0% shooting or worse 10 times, the most by any team in the NBA.

Related: Karl-Anthony Towns Revival Means Everything for Timberwolves Future

When the Wolves beat Memphis 119-97 on Nov. 26, it marked the 6th time they’ve shot 50% or better from the field, while holding opponents to 40% or worse. No other team in the NBA has more than three such games and 20 teams have yet to do it even once.

Chris Finch & Co will look to continue their hot streak on Wednesday vs the San Antonio Spurs, whose 3-16 record is the worst in the West. Anthony Edwards, who has missed two straight games after falling hard on his hip vs Oklahoma City, returned to practice for the first time on Monday and is expected to return vs the Spurs.

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