Chris Finch spoke at the Wolves' latest practice and voiced his belief in Minnesota's zone offense in this series.
Chris Finch doesn't shy away from honesty. Minnesota Timberwolves fans know this. Ask him about a weakness, and he'll tell you exactly what it was. Ask him about growth, and he'll tell you that too.
When asked about Minnesota's zone offense heading into their first-round series with Denver, Finch was characteristically direct about where this group started and where it is now.
"Our zone offense has grown year over year," Finch said. "I think that having Kyle back in the middle of the zone is huge. I think Julius has gotten comfortable there. We've used different people ... Admittedly, the first time we played Denver at home, they came out in a zone and caught us completely by surprise, and we weren't good there."
That's the kind of thing a confident coaching staff says. Finch isn't pretending the zone didn't cause problems. He's pointing to what's changed since then and why he believes this group is equipped to handle it when David Adelman pulls it out in this series.
Mar 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (12) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesKyle Anderson Is the Key
The timing of Anderson's return couldn't have been more convenient. The veteran buyout addition came back to Minnesota in late February after the Grizzlies let him go, and Finch has been leaning on him as a connective piece ever since.
Anderson spent two seasons with the Wolves from 2022 to 2024 and was a big part of their run to the Western Conference Finals. He knows this system, he knows these players, and according to Finch, his presence in the middle of the zone is a major reason Minnesota feels prepared for what Denver might throw at them.
Anderson's counting stats won't blow anyone away. His value shows up in the details: the handoff creativity, the connective passing, the ability to read a defense and find the right gap.
In a zone, that kind of intelligent read-and-react game is exactly what you need from the player stationed at the elbow. He's made to operate there, and the Wolves know it.
Randle's Comfort Level Matters Too
Finch also singled out Julius Randle as someone who's grown more comfortable attacking zone looks. Randle spent the first half of this season as one of the better offensive players on this roster, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 79 games.
He's a physical, downhill creator who doesn't need clean catch-and-shoot opportunities to be effective. In a zone, that profile is valuable. The Wolves can put the ball in his hands, let him attack the gaps, and use Anderson alongside him to keep the ball moving and find the open corner.
Denver is a team that mixes in zone looks strategically, and they've caught Minnesota off guard with it before. Finch acknowledged that plainly.
What he's also making clear is that this Wolves team has had time to grow into their answers for it, and they're walking into Ball Arena on Saturday believing they're ready for whatever Adelman sends their way.