Chris Finch of the Timberwolves accepts responsibility for disappointing defeat against the Bulls.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a crucial opportunity on Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls. A victory would have secured them a playoff spot and kept them on par with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, both of whom won their respective games on Sunday. However, the Timberwolves fell short as they were defeated by the Bulls, 101-109. Chicago’s unexpected win completed a season-series sweep over the Timberwolves, largely due to a barrage of open three-pointers from Alex Caruso, which left Minnesota trailing early and frustrated, particularly Rudy Gobert.
Despite the Bulls’ strong shooting in the first half, the Timberwolves made a comeback in the second half, fueled by timely performances from Mike Conley, a refined defensive strategy, and individual efforts from Gobert and Anthony Edwards. At one stage late in the game, Minnesota even took the lead, but ultimately couldn’t maintain it. The Bulls sustained their momentum from the early stages and secured the win on the road. After the game, Chris Finch took responsibility for the loss and emphasized the consequences of the team’s sluggish start.
During the postgame media session, Finch admitted to misjudging the defensive game plan, particularly in the first half, and acknowledged his accountability for it. Although Finch’s acknowledgment didn’t lessen the disappointment of the loss, it highlighted the culture of accountability within the Timberwolves organization, where hard work and attention to detail are valued from top to bottom.
Following the game, Rudy Gobert echoed Finch’s sentiments, praising his coach’s leadership and willingness to hold himself accountable. Gobert emphasized the importance of trust among teammates despite mistakes. Despite his initial frustration with the team’s defensive performance, Gobert recognized Finch’s willingness to adapt and make crucial halftime adjustments, giving the Timberwolves a fighting chance in the second half.
In the second half, the Timberwolves made significant defensive adjustments, holding the Bulls to just 45 points compared to their 64-point first-half performance. One notable change was their approach to help defense and gap coverage on Bulls’ dribble penetration. Initially, Minnesota’s defense was overly aggressive, leaving their perimeter defenders exposed and struggling to close out on shooters. However, the team adjusted its strategy, resulting in a more effective defensive performance in the second half.
