Chris Finch speaks on the Minnesota Timberwolves potentially competing for a championship.
The Minnesota Timberwolves took a step back of sorts this past season, losing in the second round of the playoffs after making the Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons.
Minnesota lost to Dallas in five games in the Conference Finals in 2024 and then lost the the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in 2025.
They failed to make a third straight Conference Finals in 2026, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the second round.
Minnesota kept much of its core together from 2025 to 2026, losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but finding a replacement in Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline.
Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo all remained as their top five players.
Chris Finch Weighs In
Speaking on KFAN 1003, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch gave his assessment of what he thinks the team needs moving forward.
Finch said that the margin for error is "super thin" and they need to mature as a team.
"We have to continue to take next steps. We have to make a couple of key acquisitions along the way. We have to stay healthy," he said.
Finch noted that there have been eight champions in eight years, and that getting a seat at the table is the most important thing because if you're at the table, things could break your way.
He said that everyone believes teams are playing for second place with Victor Wembanyama taking over the league or the Thunder looking like a powerhouse, but he doesn't believe that.
"If you're in the top four or top eight, you're always going to have a chance if you put yourself in that position. We have to do a little better when we get there, but we just have to keep giving ourselves a chance," he said.
Importance of Health
While the Spurs or Thunder seem destined to fight forever at the top of the Western Conference, the Timberwolves aren't as far off as many would have you believe.
If Anthony Edwards was fully healthy or if Donte DiVincenzo was healthy at all, maybe the series against the Spurs looks different.
Health is always the most important aspect of the NBA. The Thunder were without two key players against a healthy Spurs team, and the Spurs won in seven. The Knicks lost OG Anunoby for two games in the playoffs, but otherwise have been healthy and have run through the Eastern Conference.
One injury to Wembanyama or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the whole landscape shifts, and all of a sudden, Minnesota might be one of the favorites.
