Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has his work cut out for him as the 2026-27 NBA season tips off. His primary challenge is constructing effective lineup combinations, a task thrown into sharp relief by a 133-116 preseason loss to the Chicago Bulls on October 16. With the real games starting, Finch must move past experimentation and find rotations that can win now and succeed in the playoffs. The team's next test is a road game against the Miami Heat on October 21.
Finch's single biggest job is identifying the right player combinations. He needs to figure out how starters and bench players fit together. This isn't just about winning regular season games. It's about understanding what lineups will hold up under postseason pressure. Gone are the days of playing 15 guys in preseason. Every substitution now carries weight.
The Wolves' preseason schedule provided a mixed bag of data. They finished with a 3-3 record, bookended by a win over Milwaukee (116-97 on Oct. 5) and the loss to Chicago. Sandwiched in between were results like a tight 125-124 victory over Miami and a 128-106 defeat by Detroit. These games offered glimpses, but the real evaluation starts now.
Finch has been here before. Integrating Rudy Gobert after his massive trade took almost a full season and the later acquisition of Mike Conley. Finding the right fit for Julius Randle didn't click until after the All-Star break. History shows these adjustments aren't instant. They require patience and tinkering.
This year presents a new puzzle. Key frontcourt pieces like Naz Reid are gone. The depth behind Rudy Gobert now relies on players like second-year big man Joan Beringer. The numbers from last season highlight the drop-off. Minnesota's net rating was a strong +5.5 with Gobert on the floor. It plummeted to just +0.33 when he sat. The defensive rating swing was even more dramatic.
The 3-3 preseason record points to inconsistency, which is common for October. The 133-116 loss to the Bulls showed clear defensive issues that need addressing. Conversely, the 125-124 win over the Heat demonstrated an ability to execute in close games. These are the situations Finch will dissect.
He'll be looking at which lineups generated the best ball movement and which ones struggled to get stops. The goal is to build a reliable eight or nine-man rotation that can maintain intensity on both ends. Players need to know their roles, whether they're starting or coming off the bench.
All focus shifts to the regular season opener against the Miami Heat on October 21. That game marks the end of the evaluation period and the start of the grind. Finch's rotations in that contest will be our first real look at his preferred combinations under fire.
The early schedule is a chance to build chemistry quickly. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matchups on our schedule page. For Finch, the task is clear. He must blend star power with reliable depth. He must find lineups that protect leads and others that can spark comebacks. The success of the Minnesota Timberwolves' season may well depend on how fast he solves this puzzle.
