DENVER >> Not only was Timberwolves coach Chris Finch in Denver for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday, but he even did his first media availability of the week ahead of the contest.

Denver’s media setup includes a risen up table that requires two stairs to climb to get to.

So Finch -- armed with his straight-leg brace stemming from the surgery Wednesday to repair his torn patellar tendon -- climbed on up and sat down.

“That was easy,” he joked.

He said he feels good, all things considered. The coach also said his goal was to be in Denver for the start of the series all along. But he knew that wasn’t a guarantee.

“I was wide open on everything. They told me that they really wanted me to just rest. I’ve been trying to do that,” Finch said.

“But I also wanted to be here, and if I could be here in any capacity, that was the most important thing for me. Just was literally going to take it day by day and see how I felt.”

He started the series on the bench -- more specifically, just behind the first row of seats, right next to the scorer’s table, so the table could protect his outstretched leg. Finch noted the “game interaction” will largely fall on the shoulders of assistant coach Micah Nori. Nori was up on his feet patrolling the sidelines throughout the contest.

“I’m not in a position to be able to get up, call timeouts, interact with the players and all that stuff,” Finch said. “But being right there with the coaches and with the players in the huddles, all that stuff will be the same.”

Finch remained seated as the coaches executed their usual huddles to start timeouts. But he was visibly yelling instructions to players during dead balls and relaying messages to other coaches. At one point, Mike Conley came over to receive instruction from Finch before subbing back into the game.