Minnesota Welcomes NBA Franchise
1989
The NBA awarded Minneapolis with a professional basketball franchise on April 3, 1987. With owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, the Timberwolves joined three other expansion teams during the 89-90 season.
Take a look back at the Timberwolves franchise since its inception in 1989. What’s your favorite moment? Did it involve the huge crowds back at the Metrodome, the Kevin Garnett era or the 2004 postseason run? Or maybe it involves the new era headlined by Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. Timberwolves.com went back through the past two decades and selected 10 moments we thought stood out above the rest. Take a trip back through time with the Top 10 highlights in Wolves franchise history.
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Jam-Packed Metrodome
1990
The third largest crowd in NBA history piled into the Metrodome to watch the Wolves face the Nuggets on April 17, 1990 on Fan Appreciation Night. 49,551 fans rocked the Dome in support of the hometown team.
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Minnesota Hosts '94 All-Star Game
1994
The 44th All-Star Weekend featured a memorable dunk contest performance from Wolves guard Isaiah Rider at the Target Center. His "East Bay Funk" between-the-legs dunk remains a top moment in All-Star history.
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Taylor Saves Timberwolves
1995
With the possible threat of the Wolves relocating to New Orleans; current owner Glen Taylor purchased the franchise on March 23, 1995 to keep the team in Minneapolis.
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Wolves Draft Garnett
1995
Ignoring the doubters, Minnesota used the 5th overall pick on Kevin Garnett in the 95' draft. The straight out of high school star became the face of the Wolves for 12 seasons while setting numerous franchise records.
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Playoff Introduction
1997
The Wolves made their postseason debut in 1997 against the Houston Rockets. Tom Gugliotta, Kevin Garnett, and Stephon Marbury led the team to a 40-42 record to start an 8 year run in the playoffs.
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KG MVP
2003-'04 Season
Kevin Garnett captured the 2003-04 MVP award by tallying 120 of a possible 123 first place votes. Garnett averaged 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds to guide the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals.
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Wolves Dethrone Kings
2004
Kevin Garnett jumped on top of the scorer's table following an incredible Game 7 victory over the Kings at the Target Center. The Wolves defeated Sacramento 83-80 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
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Kevin Love 30-30
2010
The statistical highlight of Kevin Love's 2010-2011 season was his "30-30" game, racking up 31 points and a career-high 31 rebounds during a home game against the New York Knicks on November 12. His rebound total was the most since Charles Barkley grabbed 33 in a 1996 game, and his 30-30 achievement was the first seen in the NBA since Moses Malone in 1982. Love became only the 19th player in NBA history to record such a feat, and he made a convincing case for league voters as he was eventually named to his first NBA All-Star Game that season.
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Ricky Arrives
2011
Good things come to those who wait. Originally selected with the fifth overall pick in 2009, Ricky Rubio had to wait two years to come over to Minnesota. The Timberwolves, who traded up on draft day to pick the Spanish sensation, were finally rewarded on June 17, 2011 when they held a press conference announcing Rubio's signing. The rookie point guard made his regular season debut on December 26 to the first Target Center sellout crowd in three seasons, and went on to finish second in that year's Rookie of the Year voting.
