Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves Summary

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a part of the NBA since the 1989-90 season, but the team has struggled to maintain any consistency of success. In the first 32 seasons of the franchise, Minnesota has made the playoffs just nine times, with eight of those coming prior to the 2004-05 campaign.

The Timberwolves are hoping the building blocks are in place to start changing that trend, however, with former No. 1 overall picks Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards teaming with D’Angelo Russell to form a potent young trio. Coach Chris Finch took over midway through the 2020-21 campaign and is hoping to see the team turn into a perennial playoff contender and more in the near future.

Minnesota Timberwolves Standings

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ standings in the NBA have seen fluctuations over the years, but their dedicated fan base remains unwavering in their support. This franchise, with its distinct identity, has showcased resilience and determination, striving to climb the ranks within the league. While specific rankings may change from season to season, the Timberwolves’ commitment to growth and improvement continues to shape their journey in professional basketball. Fans eagerly anticipate each game, knowing that the team’s standings reflect not only their performance but also the enduring spirit of the Timberwolves and their pursuit of success on the court.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

Betting trends related to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA can vary from season to season and game to game. These trends are influenced by factors such as team performance, player injuries, and matchups. Sports bettors and analysts closely monitor the Timberwolves’ performance against the spread (ATS), their over/under (O/U) totals, and other key betting metrics. The team’s success, both overall and at home or on the road, can significantly impact these trends. Individual player statistics, such as points, rebounds, and assists, also play a role in betting markets. To stay updated with the latest Minnesota Timberwolves betting trends, enthusiasts often consult sportsbooks, betting websites, and expert analysis to make informed wagers.

Minnesota Timberwolves History

The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA as part of a two-team expansion prior to the 1989-90 season along with the Orlando Magic, joining the Western Conference. Minnesota had relative success early on, winning at least 20 games in its first two seasons, but the playoffs were a far way off.

The 1995 NBA Draft was a major turning point for the franchise, as the Timberwolves selected high school Kevin Garnett with the No. 5 pick in the draft at a time when high school players were rarely drafted. “The Kid” was teamed with good friend Stephon Marbury when the team traded the rights to Ray Allen for Marbury on draft night 1996, and the team’s fortunes turned quickly.

Garnett, Marbury, and Tom Gugliotta had immediate chemistry, and the team won a franchise-record 40 games in 1995-96, earning the team’s first-ever playoff berth. It started a string of eight straight trips to the postseason, though most of them were short, with the first seven ending after one round.

Flip Saunders was the coach throughout that run, and the team tried to build around Garnett, trading away Marbury during the 1998-99 campaign and bringing in guards Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell and forward Wally Szczerbiak through trades and the draft. Everything came together for the 2003-04 season, as Minnesota won its first division title and Garnett was named the NBA MVP.

The Timberwolves entered the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference, and they advanced two rounds before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, that was the last bit of postseason success the team has had. The team started slow the next season, leading to the dismissal of Saunders, and Minnesota missed the playoffs, beginning a string of 13 straight seasons of failing to make the field.

Garnett was unhappy with the losing, so the Timberwolves obliged their star with his wish of a championship-contending team, trading him to the Boston Celtics over the summer of 2007. Minnesota got back five players, two first-round picks, and cash considerations, but the team wasn’t able to put things together, continuing to flounder.

Forward Kevin Love became a star with Minnesota during the lean years, and the team did the same thing for Love as it did for Garnett, trading him for the rights to the 2014 No. 1 overall pick, forward Andrew Wiggins. The next season, the Timberwolves won the draft lottery and the chance to make center Karl-Anthony Towns the No. 1 pick.

Those two plus All-Star forward Jimmy Butler combined to make the postseason under coach Tom Thibodeau, losing in the first round to Houston in 2018. Prior to the next season, Butler forced his way out via a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the team fell back to under .500 and out of the postseason. The 2019-20 saw Minnesota once again earn the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, which is used on Georgia guard Anthony Edwards.

Championships Won by the Minnesota Timberwolves

Championships of any kind have been few and far between for the Timberwolves franchise, with only one trip to the Western Conference finals being the highlight of the team’s success on the court. The 2003-04 squad won the Midwest Division for the only division title in franchise history, then advanced to the Western finals, where it fell to the Los Angeles Lakers.

There have been some individual titles won by Minnesota players over the years, highlighted by the NBA MVP award won by Kevin Garnett in 2003-04. Garnett also won the All-Star Game MVP award for the 2003 game.

Kevin Love earned Most Improved Player honors by the league for the 2010-11 season. Love averaged 20.2 points and a league-leading 15.2 rebounds per game in his third NBA season, easily setting career-highs in almost every offensive category.

Important Team Events

The Timberwolves went against the grain for their first-round pick in 1995, taking high schooler Kevin Garnett with the No. 5 selection. At a time when very few high schoolers were drafted by the NBA, Minnesota started a trend, and got itself a franchise player as well. Garnett grew into an NBA MVP and led the Timberwolves to the playoffs for eight straight seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2004.

Minnesota also played a hunch the next season, drafting Connecticut guard Ray Allen but trading his rights to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to guard Stephon Marbury. While Marbury had a solid NBA career, his time in Minnesota lasted just over two seasons. In the meantime, Allen forged a Hall of Famer career as a shooter and one of the top three-point shooters in league history.

Garnett’s departure from Minnesota wasn’t pleasant, as the franchise player was tired of a lack of team success and wanted to be able to play for a championship. The Timberwolves tried to get what they could for their superstar, trading him to the Boston Celtics for five players, two draft picks, and cash considerations in the 2007 offseason, but the team continued to miss the postseason for another 10 seasons. Garnett got what he wanted, though, as Boston won the NBA title in his first season in Beantown.

Top Players

There is no question who the greatest player in Timberwolves history has been, and that’s Kevin Garnett. From the time he was drafted out of high school in 1995, Garnett was a force on the court, though it took him a little time to become the MVP-caliber player he eventually was. Garnett is still the all-time leading scorer in franchise history as well as the team’s all-time leader in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and triple-doubles. Garnett earned NBA MVP honors for the 2003-04 season and was named All-NBA first team three times and All-Defensive first team six times while with Minnesota.

He has a way to go to reach Garnett’s stature, but Karl-Anthony Towns is certainly living up to his No. 1 overall pick status from being selected in that spot by Minnesota in 2015. Towns earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors in his first season, and he entered the 2021-22 campaign with two All-Star appearances and an All-NBA third-team selection for the 2017-18 season. Towns continue to build his legacy, which will be enhanced when the team ascends to playoff status and makes some noise in the postseason.

Forward Kevin Love went from a draft-night acquisition that had some Timberwolves fans upset to a player that was a steal for the No. 1 overall pick when he was traded to Cleveland in 2014. Love worked himself into NBA shape in his first two seasons, earning the league’s Most Improved Player in 2010-11 after averaging 20.2 points and an NBA-high 15.2 rebounds per game. He followed that up with 26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds per game the next season, but was unable to lead the Timberwolves to the postseason in his six seasons with the team.

Top Coaches

Just as Garnett is an easy selection as the top player in franchise history, Flip Saunders is just as simple a pick as the top coach in franchise history. Saunders coached the team from 1995 to 2005, helping the team to eight playoff appearances and the only postseason series wins in franchise history in 2003-04. He was let go just 51 games into the season after that successful run but came back to coach the team in 2014-15 for one season.

The Timberwolves’ only other playoff appearance came under coach Tom Thibodeau, who was Minnesota’s head coach from 2016-17 to midway through the 2018-19 campaign. Thibodeau is tied for the second-most regular-season wins in franchise history with 97.

Timberwolves Recent Trend

The recent trend for the Minnesota Timberwolves has been marked by a sense of rejuvenation and optimism. As a franchise, they have been actively reshaping their roster and game strategies, showcasing a commitment to competitiveness in the NBA. With the emergence of promising young talents and the acquisition of key players, the Timberwolves have generated newfound excitement among their loyal fan base. While specific seasons may have had ups and downs, this trend of rebuilding and striving for success reflects the team’s enduring dedication to creating a bright future for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the world of professional basketball.

Injuries

Injuries are an inevitable part of the game in professional sports, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, like all teams, have faced their fair share of challenges in this regard. Whether dealing with minor setbacks or more significant injuries, the Timberwolves’ resilience and commitment to player health and recovery have remained steadfast. The team’s ability to adapt and support their athletes through injury setbacks underscores their dedication to long-term success. Fans of the Timberwolves understand that injuries are a temporary hurdle in the team’s ongoing journey, and they eagerly await the return of their favorite players, knowing that each comeback signifies a renewed determination to achieve greatness on the basketball court.

If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.