Day: April 30, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered another hit with 5:01 to play in the first quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night when forward Bobby Portis Jr. was removed after drawing two technical fouls on the same play.

Portis and Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nemnbhard were locked up while fighting for a rebound, which caused a brief shoving match and stoppage in play for a replay review.

Portis and Nembhard were called out for technical fouls for the initial shoves. Officials then assessed a second technical to Portis for slapping Nembhard in the head. Both were seen as hostile acts.

The Bucks were already playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been absent since April 9 due to a strained left calf, and Damian Lillard, who injured his right Achilles tendon in Friday night’s overtime loss to the Pacers.

The officials called five technical fouls in the first 6:59 of game action. 

The Pacers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch left the court late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night after colliding with guard Mike Conley.

Following the Timberwolves’ 122-116 victory and first-round series sweep of the Suns, various news outlets confirmed Finch had ruptured his right patellar tendon.

Conley wanted to dribble down the sideline when he crashed into Phoenix’s Devin Booker and collided with Finch. Chris seemed to have injured his right knee as Conley tried to brace their fall. He grimaced and grabbed his right knee.

Finch was down for a few minutes, surrounded by Minnesota players, coaches and staff, before he slowly got up and was assisted off the court.

Assistant coach Micah Nori directed the team for the final 1:41.

“He’s obviously in good spirits and so are the guys,” Nori said.

Conley said he didn’t see Finch until the last moment and tried to hold him up after the collision. The veteran guard told a joke or two at the coach’s expense after the Game 4 victory.

“I told him to sit his (butt) down — he shouldn’t be standing up like that late in the game,” Conley said. “He’s in the way. But prayers up for him, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”