Ahead of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch discussed his team’s strategy to challenge one of the league’s most formidable duos: LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
During a media session, Finch emphasized the need for his players to embrace flexibility. “If it’s my night, it’s my night; if it’s someone else’s, it’s theirs,” he said. Finch recognizes the importance of adaptability, especially in a playoff setting where opposing teams will aim to shut down key players. He highlighted the significance of players trusting each other to step up when necessary.
On defending Doncic, Finch stressed the importance of creating a fast-paced game to wear down the star guard. “We’ve got to play way more in transition,” he explained. The Slovenian, known for his scoring and playmaking, will be a focus of Minnesota’s defensive schemes. Finch knows that forcing him to work harder will require the Timberwolves to maintain high activity levels on both ends of the court.
Finch also touched on the impact of role players Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid, both of whom can provide explosive performances off the bench. The coach noted that finding the right balance between unleashing their potential while maintaining disciplined team play would be crucial in this series.
As the Timberwolves prepare, Finch emphasized the need to stick with what’s been working throughout the season. “I’m a big believer in not creating a problem when there’s not a problem,” Finch stated. He pointed out that it’s essential to maintain the team’s identity, which has been solidified over the course of the season.
With the Lakers possessing the ability to switch defensively and create mismatches, Finch noted that Minnesota’s defense must be versatile. “You’ve still got to be able to sit down and win that matchup,” he said, acknowledging that it won’t be easy to slow down players like James and Doncic.
The Timberwolves’ ability to adapt, especially in high-pressure situations, has been a point of growth this season. Finch praised Anthony Edwards for his development, noting that Edwards has improved in reading defensive schemes and adapting in real-time. “He used to take a while, now I see him directing teammates,” Finch remarked.
