Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley gained his second career NBA Teammate of the Calendar year award on Wednesday, but just one member of the firm joked it must be taken away for the reason that of a the latest incident.
In the closing minutes of the Timberwolves’ 122–116 get over the Phoenix Suns in Recreation 4 on Sunday, Conley crashed into coach Chris Finch following he was bumped out of bounds. Finch went down tricky and experienced a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. He experienced to be helped off the court.
When Finch read the information Wednesday about Conley being honored as the league’s major teammate, he arrived at out with a witty quip.
“He required to set a phrase in about me successful that award,” Conley mentioned on KFAN on Wednesday evening. “He would like to veto it due to the fact I harm him.”
Finch underwent operation Wednesday to repair his knee. It is unclear if he’ll be equipped to return to the court docket and coach the Timberwolves on Saturday in Recreation 1 of their Western Conference semifinal collection against the Denver Nuggets.
“He is however obtained his jokes and things so it seems like he’s in great spirits,” Conley explained. “Ideally the recovery process is that so he is ready to arrive on the excursion [to Denver] and be there for the 1st couple of games.”
Conley also received the Teammate of the Yr award in 2019, his final season with the Memphis Grizzlies. This 12 months, he edged runner-ups Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson to acquire household the hardware.
The Timberwolves astonished Conley with the news right after exercise Wednesday.
“It’s honestly an honor,” Conley reported on KFAN. “Anytime I get described with the guys who are up for the award, I truly feel grateful and thankful to be up there. But to gain the award is anything that means a large amount to me.”