Fewer than five minutes remained in a tied Game 6 of Minnesota's first-round playoff series against Memphis in 2022. The Wolves needed a win to avoid elimination

Chris Finch sent the unheralded Jordan McLaughlin to the scorer’s table to sub in for D'Angelo Russell. Russell struggled throughout the series and had just committed yet another turnover when Finch decided to remove his starting point guard from the floor.

Minnesota still lost the game, as Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards took one rushed, bad shot after another down the stretch without the ball even touching McLaughlin’s hands.

But a tone was set — Finch was coaching to win. That wouldn’t be sacrificed in fear of hurt feelings, no matter your place in the perceived pecking order.

The coach demonstrated conviction in his

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