Chris Finch emphasized effort and execution after the Minnesota Timberwolves closed out the Denver Nuggets 110-98 in Game 6 at Target Center, highlighting a performance built on defense, physicality, and collective resilience.
“The effort was always going to be there,” Finch said. “I thought the effort was there throughout the whole series after game one where it was a little spotty, but it was incredible.”
Finch pointed to Minnesota’s activity on the glass as a defining factor in the series-clincher. “We had 19 offensive rebounds. That’s the effort right there,” he said, noting the consistent energy from a rotation stretched by injuries and heavy minutes.
Jaden McDaniels delivered a two-way performance that anchored Minnesota on both ends, and Finch did not hold back in his assessment. “Jaden McDaniels talked all series and he backed it up all series. That’s called legitimate tough,” Finch said. “He not only led us tonight scoring wise, but Murray was four for 17 and I don’t think he scored on Jaden the whole game.”
Finch expanded on McDaniels’ defensive evolution throughout the series. “He’s just the ultimate competitor. Nothing really rattles him,” Finch said. “Now he just keeps playing. He has a lot of confidence in his offensive game that he doesn’t live and die with the shots or the mistakes.”
Minnesota leaned heavily into size and length, with Finch revealing a deliberate shift in approach. “I wanted to get my best players on the floor, and sometimes that’s all it is. That’s my best five,” he said. “The length bothered them.”
The head coach also detailed tactical adjustments that reshaped the game flow. “We were running way too many ball screens, kind of empty ball screens in the first half,” Finch said. “I just wanted to open up the floor for our guys.”
Motivation was a recurring theme in Finch’s breakdown of the series. “Denver had the chance to pick who they wanted to play coming down the stretch, and they chose us,” he said. “We used that as motivation all the way through preparation and through the series.”
Rudy Gobert’s defensive impact against Nikola Jokic was another focal point, with Finch naming him co-series MVP. “Rudy was sensational. Co-MVP,” Finch said. “I don’t know if I’ve seen somebody guard him that well for that many games in a row.”
Finch also praised Terrence Shannon Jr.’s unexpected impact in the rotation. “It was incredible,” he said. “Not just with his scoring, but he made emotional energy plays that got the crowd into it.”
Looking ahead to the next round against San Antonio, Finch remained measured. “We haven’t thought too much about San Antonio,” he said. “We’ll start taking them apart in the film room starting tomorrow.”
Finch closed by framing the win as part of a larger objective. “We came into this playoffs not trying to beat Denver, but trying to win a championship,” he said. “This is one of the best collective efforts that we’ve had here.”
