Chris Finch Reveals Who Will Replace Micah Nori on Timberwolves’ Bench

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Chris Finch Reveals Who Will Replace Micah Nori on Timberwolves’ Bench

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 19: Assistant coach Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves and head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Denver Nuggets during Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 19, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) Getty

Alder Almo · HEAVY

Sun, Sep 20, 2026 ·

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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 04: Head Coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with his coaches on the bench against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 04, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Getty

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 07: Pablo Prigioni #9 of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a shot against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Verizon Center on January 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Getty

The Minnesota Timberwolves did not have to look far to replace Micah Nori.

Coach Chris Finch revealed that longtime Wolves assistant Pablo Prigioni has been promoted to lead assistant, elevating one of the organization's most trusted voices after Nori left Minnesota to become the Portland Trail Blazers ' head coach.

Finch confirmed Prigioni's expanded role during an interview with MinnPost's Britt Robson. The move maintains continuity on a Minnesota bench that lost Nori after another deep playoff run.

Prigioni has been with the Timberwolves since 2019, giving him institutional knowledge that would be hard to replace from the outside. He understands Finch's system, has established relationships with Minnesota's players and already holds significant responsibility within the team's offense.

His promotion was the natural solution once Nori departed.

Pablo Prigioni Earns Larger Timberwolves Role

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets - Game One — Getty Head Coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with his coaches, including Pablo Prigioni, on the bench against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 04, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

Prigioni, 49, has built a reputation around the NBA as a sharp offensive mind with a particular feel for pace, spacing and guard development.

Those qualities should become even more important as Minnesota continues building its offense around Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball . Prigioni's background as a point guard and his willingness to experiment have made him an important resource for a team attempting to balance multiple creators.

Prigioni spent most of his playing career in Europe before joining the New York Knicks in 2012 at age 35, making him the oldest rookie in NBA history. He also played for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers before retiring in 2017.

His transition into coaching was immediate. Prigioni briefly served as coach of Baskonia in Spain, joined the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant in 2018 and moved to Minnesota the following year.

The Wolves have since developed from a rebuilding team into a regular Western Conference contender. Although Finch has directed that transformation, Prigioni's fingerprints have been visible in the offense's emphasis on quick decisions and creating advantages before defenses become organized.

Prigioni Stayed Despite Knicks' Interest

New York Knicks v Washington Wizards — GettyPablo Prigioni of the New York Knicks celebrates after making a shot against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Verizon Center on January 7, 2015 in Washington, DC.

Minnesota's ability to retain Prigioni last summer now looks especially significant.

The Knicks received permission to interview their former guard for a prominent role on Mike Brown's coaching staff. Prigioni ultimately declined the opportunity and remained with the Timberwolves.

One year later, that decision has resulted in his most substantial NBA coaching role.

Replacing Nori involves more than changing seats on the bench. Lead assistants typically carry greater responsibility in game planning, strategy and communication between the head coach, players and the rest of the staff. The role can also become a launching point for future head-coaching opportunities.

Nori had been with Minnesota since 2021 and became one of the league's most recognizable assistants. He assumed additional sideline responsibilities during the 2024 playoffs after Finch suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in a collision with Mike Conley .

Portland's decision to hire Nori created a meaningful vacancy, but it also allowed Minnesota to reward an assistant who had repeatedly drawn interest elsewhere.

The Timberwolves are losing Nori's personality and experience. They are not starting over.

By elevating Prigioni, Finch is entrusting the job to someone who already knows the personnel, the system and the expectations. For a team with championship ambitions, that continuity could matter as much as the promotion itself.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Chris Finch Reveals Who Will Replace Micah Nori on Timberwolves' Bench appeared first on HEAVY .

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