April 18, 1990 The Timberwolves have set a new all-time NBA regular-season attendance record by drawing 1,072,572 fans during their inaugural season.
The Timberwolves' total surpasses the previous mark of 1,066,505 set by the Detroit Pistons in 1987-88 while playing in the Pontiac Silverdome. Minnesota's final average home attendance was 26,160.
In their final home contest of the 1989-90 season, the Timberwolves drew the third-largest single-game crowd in NBA history (including regular season, playoffs and All-Star games) as 49,551 fans turned out on April 17 to see the Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at the Metrodome.
"I feel great about this season," said Timberwolves president Bob Stein. "We hope the support for the franchise continues to grow as we move into our new arena. It will be hard to top a year like the one we are wrapping up, but we think next year will be even better."
As part of Fan Appreciation Night, the players gave the fans "the shirts off their backs" in a postgame inaugural season celebration. "We really appreciate all the support the Timberwolves fans have given us in our first season, said guard Pooh Richardson. "We as players wanted to do something special for the fans and decided to give them our home game jerseys. What better way to show our thanks."
In addition, fans had a chance to win a 1990 Eagle Summit courtesy of the Great Northern Metro Jeep/Eagle Dealers, a 17-foot 1990 Larson Sport Boat package from Minnetonka Boat Works, and other prizes given away throughout the night. Fans 18 years of age and older received a Minnesota State Lottery Match 3 Instant Game Ticket, which could be worth up to $5,000 in cash.
The Timberwolves will begin play in the new 19,000-seat Minnesota Arena located in downtown Minneapolis in October.