Chris Finch named Western Conference Head Coach of the Month

Finch is just the third Wolves coach to win the award

Nearly three years into his tenure as head coach of the Timberwolves, Chris Finch finally received his first award for the job he's done in Minnesota. Finch was named the Western Conference head coach of the month on Monday.

Minnesota went 13-2 in the month of November, beating powerhouses like the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers. Finch has led the Wolves through a brutal November schedule without one of his best defenders in Jaden McDaniels for the last half of the month after the 23-year-old sustained a sprained ankle on Nov. 20.

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November. pic.twitter.com/nKuNDrMjm9

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 4, 2023

Finch becomes the first Wolves head coach to win the award since Kevin McHale won it in January of 2009 when he led Minnesota to a 10-4 record in his final season as the team's head coach. Finch is just the third coach in franchise history to win the award.

• Kevin McHale - Jan. 2009
• Flip Saunders - April 2004
• Flip Saunders - Feb. 2003
• Flip Saunders - Jan. 2001
• Flip Saunders - Jan. 2000

Nov 26, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota has occupied either a portion of, or been in sole possession of, first place in the Western Conference since November 18. With the second-easiest schedule remaining to feast on, Wolves fans could be hearing Finch’s name in the running for more awards.