Timberwolves Fire Coach Ryan Saunders, Hire Chris Finch Immediately
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been off to a bad start for the season. Actually, you could say it's the worst start for any team in the NBA this year as they do have the worst record with just 7 wins and 24 losses. Last night the Timberwolves lost to the New York Nicks 103-99. Following that game, the organization fired head coach Ryan Saunders.
Immediately after the 10pm firing, word came out that the Timberwolves had hired Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Chris Finch for the head coaching position. Chris Finch has a long history of coaching beginning with winning the Basketball Coach of The Year in the British Basketball League in 1999. From there he worked his way up in his career to the NBA with the Houston Rockets in 2014 as assistant head coach. He's worked with the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and coached last year for the Toronto Raptors.
Ryan Saunders took over the Timberwolves as an interim coach in the 2018-2019 season. His overall record ends with the team at 43-94. Saunders was the youngest head coach in the league. His father Flip Saunders was the only coach to bring the Timberwolves a division title. According to the Pioneer Press, owner Glen Taylor has known Ryan since he was a kid, which made it even harder decision to part ways with Saunders.
The Timberwolves have been dealing with injuries and have not been at full strength with their top talent for much of Saunder's coaching tenure. Karl-Anthony Towns & D'Angelo Russell have hardly played with each other in the last year.
The Timberwolves are expected to make the official announcement on Chris Finch taking the job on Monday, February 22.