Remember when you did those college and job interviews and often had someone helping you out by acting as a mock interviewer? Well, this strategy works not just for interviews but also when preparing for other things. Especially in sports. With the Minnesota Timberwolves having entered the playoffs, the team is expected to again hold practice sessions where star players are defended by teammates acting as rival players. Knowing that Luka Doncic will present a challenge to Anthony Edwards and Co. during the 1st round of the playoffs, Chris Finch is taking extra steps to determine how to best play around the Slovenian.
The matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves is less than 4 days away. Preparation is in full swing. However, it did not stop the Timberwolves’ head coach from answering some questions from the media. During the Q&A session, Finch revealed that the Timberwolves’ scout team is ready, with Joe Ingles set to act as Luka Doncic during practice sessions.
Finch admitted that “It’s hard to replicate everything he does.” But Ingles can help in “stimulating some of the things, gives us a comp on size and IQ, for sure,” Chris pointed out. Only if things ended there!
“But, you know, it’s certainly tough, and then obviously, you got to try to stimulate LeBron and other guys around,” the Wolves HC further elaborated.
From a size standpoint, Luka Doncic and Joe Ingles certainly hold some similarities. As of March 2025, Luka Doncic’s weight is reported to be 230 lbs, while Ingles weighs 227 lbs! Luka Doncic boasts a height of 6-foot-6, and Ingles is 6-foot-8. This makes Ingles the almost perfect specimen to serve as a mock-Luka Doncic.
Almost, since that is where the similarity ends.
Last postseason, in preparation for the series Denver, the Wolves had Luka Garza functioning as Nikola Jokic on the scout team — something we heard made a real difference in prep.
This postseason, Finch says they have Joe Ingles functioning as the scout team’s Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/qthrHD4qlg
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 15, 2025
The Timberwolves player is a power forward who boasts an additional year of experience over the Slovenian superstar. He has only managed to average 0.8 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over the course of 19 games, while Doncic has averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists throughout 50 games divided between both the Mavericks and the Lakers. Therefore, while Ingles can help Anthony Edwards and Co. figure out how to perform when being defended by Doncic, he cannot replicate the ultimate ‘LukaMagic,’ of course. Then again, that might simply be enough to give Chris Finch the edge he seeks.
The T-Wolves coach is certainly keeping Luka Doncic on his radar this time around. After all, he underestimated the star once and dearly paid the consequences.
Chris Finch got humbled during 2024 Playoffs after using a ‘lazy’ Luka Doncic take
Last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 to reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. Unfortunately, the team’s next opponent was the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving-led Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs put out a tough fight and won 3 of the series’ first 4 games. Despite this, Chris Finch was not willing to give the Slovenian his due.
Prior to Game 5, the Timberwolves’ head coach went viral for making an interesting statement in support of Anthony Edwards. He stated, “he does a good job of getting through all those illegal screens they set for Luka”. The Smoking Cuban described the take as ‘lazy. ’ After all, it was allegedly a way to put down Doncic when he had been playing well in the post-season.
Furthermore, anyone from the Timberwolves should have been among the last people to complain about illegal screens. After all, the team was reportedly notorious for using Rudy Gobert to set illegal screens. They got away with plenty of them in the Game 4 win in Dallas.
Chris Finch on Edwards’ defense: “He does a good job of getting through all those illegal screens they set for Luka.”
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 30, 2024
We don’t know whether Luka Doncic was made aware of Finch’s statement or not. However, the Slovenian did retaliate. During Game 5 of the Mavericks-Timberwolves Conference Finals, Luka Doncic dropped his highest score of the post-season, 36 points, by shooting 14-22 (63.6%) field goals, 6-10 (60.0%) 3-pointers, and 2-3 (66.7%) free throws. Additionally, he also made a whopping 10 rebounds along with 5 assists. Just like that, all the talk about Luka Doncic only benefitting from ‘illegal screens’ evaporated into the wind.
Doncic stopped the Minnesota Timberwolves once from entering the Finals. Chris Finch will ensure the same mistake does not happen again.
The post Luka Doncic and Co. Receive Early Warning as Chris Finch Reveals Plans for Playoffs vs Lakers appeared first on EssentiallySports.
