The Minnesota Timberwolves will compete in three categories for the 2023-24 NBA Awards, with the finalists announced Sunday night.
Rudy Gobert is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, Naz Reid is a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year, and head coach Chris Finch is a finalist for Coach of the Year.
Gobert is the favorite to be named DPOY for the fourth time after leading the Timberwolves to one of the best defenses in the NBA during the regular season. Also nominated as finalists are Spurs phenom Victor Wembaneyama, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, and Magic's Bam Adebayo.
Reed became a starter late in the season due to Carl's injury, but he averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game and is a favorite to be named Sixth Man of the Year. Anthony Towns.
It was expected that he would be in a close battle with Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings, but Reid suffered an injury late in the season and has improved even more since being named the starter in place of injured Karl-Anthony Towns. Together, they tipped the scales even further in Reid's favor. Bobby Portis Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks is also a player nominated.
Chris Finch was just rewarded for a year that saw his team go from a play-in spot last year to No. 3 this season. It's very possible he would have earned the honor had the Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on the final day to earn the No. 1 seed. As it stands, the Thunder's Mark Daigneault is expected to win, with the Magic's Jamal Mosley the other candidate.
