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Minneapolis-St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves have been named to the list of the Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in The World for 2022, as announced by Sports Innovation Lab. As part, the team ranks 11th overall and 4th across all U.S. professional sports teams behind just the Philadelphia 76ers (5th), Atlanta Braves (7th) and Dallas Mavericks (9th). In total, the U.S. list included nine NBA teams, three MLB teams, two NFL teams and one NHL team. This is the first time the Timberwolves have been named to this prestigious list.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The annual report evaluates hundreds of teams based on three main metrics including Revenue Diversification – how teams are broadening fan scope and driving revenue through alternative channels, Technology Enablement – the strength of association between teams and technologies associated with fan behaviors across the most meaningful and important public data sources and Organizational Agility – how front offices are organized and staffed and how they incorporate data and business intelligence into the operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This is a tremendous honor to be in the global company of impressive franchises across multiple leagues,” said Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson. “As an organization, we pride ourselves on leading through an innovative and inclusive philosophy. Our fans are at the heart of it, and we will continue to set new standards to elevate the franchise and experience for our fans.”&nbsp;

The Timberwolves finished the 2021-22 season as one of the most successful in franchise history with record-breaking revenues in corporate partnerships and single game tickets, jumping in attendance from 30th to 20th in the league. TV ratings on Bally Sports North were up more than 50% and the team also ranked amongst the top five teams in the NBA for game experience. A multi-year partnership with Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR) is capitalizing on the momentum and is focused on evolving fan engagement, ticketing and sales, and enhancing technological capabilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

See the full 2022 report of the Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in the World here.&nbsp;

Sports Innovation Lab is a fan intelligence and market research organization that helps the world's leading sports organizations understand who their fans are, and how technology is changing their behavior. We do this by collecting and analyzing data on what fans do, watch, and buy, and offering our clients such as the NFL, NHL, FIFA, Google, Facebook, Coca-Cola, Visa, and Puma analysis and strategic interpretation of that data. Learn more at sportsilab.com.&nbsp;

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Timberwolves Named No. 11 on Top 25 Most Innovative Sports Teams by Sports Innovation Lab 

Minneapolis/St. Paul – Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has been named to the All-NBA Third Team, the NBA announced today. This is the second such honor of Towns’ career as he earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2018. Towns becomes the third player in franchise history to be named to multiple All-NBA teams (Kevin Garnett 8x, Kevin Love 2x).&nbsp;&nbsp;

In his seventh NBA season, Towns finished the 2021-22 campaign ranked 11th in scoring (24.6 ppg), 14th in rebounding (9.8 rpg), 16th in field goal percentage (52.9%) and 17th in three-point percentage (41.0%). This year marked Towns' fourth season (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22) averaging 20+ points on 50%+ shooting from the field and 40%+ from three per game, tying Kevin Durant for the most such seasons in the NBA since the three-point line was added in 1979.&nbsp;

Named a Western Conference All-Star for the third time in his career, Towns marked his third All-Star Game appearance on Feb. 20 in Cleveland with nine points, six rebounds and three assists. He became the first center to win the MTN DEW 3-point Contest on All-Star Saturday night, scoring an event record 29 points in the final round, beating out Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and LA Clippers guard Luke Kennard. Towns was also named Western Conference Player of the Week three times this season and marked the seventh time in his career that he has won the weekly award (April 11, 2016, Mar. 13, 2017, Nov. 20, 2017, Oct. 28, 2019, Dec. 20, 2021, Mar. 7, 2022 and Mar. 21, 2022). Towns trails only Kevin Garnett (15 times) for the most Player of the Week honors in Timberwolves history.&nbsp;

In Minnesota’s 149-139 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Mar. 14, Towns erupted for a career-high and franchise record 60 points on a career-high 19-of-31 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three-point range and 15-of-16 from the free throw line. Towns added a season-high-tying 17 rebounds, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach each of those numbers in a game. Towns became the first center with a 60-point game since Shaquille O'Neal (Mar. 6, 2000), a feat achieved by Wilt Chamberlain in a regular season game 32 times in his NBA career. The only other centers to accomplish that feat are George Mikan, David Robinson and O'Neal (once each). Towns scored a franchise-record 32 of his 60 points in the third quarter, marking the fifth-most points scored in a single quarter in NBA history. Per Elias Sports Bureau, over the last 50 years, only three other players have posted a 60+ point/15+ rebound game (Karl Malone 1990, Michael Jordan 1990 and O’Neal 2000).&nbsp;

The Timberwolves finished the season with a 46-36 record, the seventh-best record in club history and clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2018 and second time in the last 18 years. The Wolves concluded the season with a 26-15 record at Target Center and a 32-20 record against the Western Conference, the second time since 2004-05 with 30+ wins against the West. With the 136-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on April 1, the Wolves finished the season 12-4 against Northwest Division foes, the most division wins by the team since the division was formed in 2004 and just the third time since 2004 winning 10+ division games. Additionally, Minnesota finished the season winning 10 straight games against Northwest division opponents. The team finished the 2021-22 campaign with 20 road wins for the first time since the 2004-05 season and just the fifth time winning 20+ road games.&nbsp;

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Karl-Anthony Towns Named to All-NBA Third Team 

Minneapolis-St. Paul – Today, the NBA announced Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. The annual award honors a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion.  

“I am incredibly humbled to be named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist,” said Towns. “Equity across all spheres – health, social and civic is central to me as a person and as a player in this league. I join inspiring company in my fellow finalists and will continue to be an active participant in the advancement of social justice.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Towns has devoted his time, platform and resources to health equity and education since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past season he became a prominent advocate for vaccine education following the loss of his mother, Jacqueline Towns. Towns worked with the NBA for the league’s vaccine PSA released in February, Cue Health to provide 100 COVID-19 testing kits to more than 50 schools in both New Jersey and Minnesota, and Walgreens on their Get a Shot, Give a Shot campaign to promote flu shots and help ensure access to anyone who wants one via a $5,000 donation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Towns donated $20,000 to the George Floyd Memorial Foundation in partnership with JD Sports in July 2021 and attended rallies throughout the Minneapolis community. As part of his Celebrity Wheel of Fortune appearance, Towns selected Vera Institute of Justice as his beneficiary, making a $30,000 donation. Vera Institute of Justice works to end the overcriminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, immigrants and people experiencing poverty.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, in support of gender equity and access for women in sports, Towns made a donation to Kean University in New Jersey to support programming for their women student athletes highlighting empowerment and internships, naming the series in honor of his late mother. He continues to serve as a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NBA will make a $25,000 contribution to a non-profit community organization selected by each finalist. The winning player’s organization will receive $100,000. As a finalist, Towns has selected the George Floyd Memorial Foundation as the recipient of his donation.&nbsp;

Fred VanVleet (TOR), Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM), Jrue Holiday (MIL), and Reggie Bullock (DAL) join Towns as this year’s five Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalists. The winner will be announced during the Western Conference Finals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Karl-Anthony Towns Named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Finalist 

Nike announced this week that they have launched a new podcast titled “No Off-Season”, that focuses on athletes and their mental health.

The premiere episode, ”Finding Purpose Through Pain”, dropped on May 10th and features Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.

In January, Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride joined TRAINED for their Mental Health Miniseries earlier this year, where she discussed her personal mental health journey.

Kayla McBride Podcast

Many people who have mental health disorders consider their signs and symptoms a normal part of life or avoid treatment. If you're concerned about your mental health, don't hesitate to seek advice.

Consult your primary care doctor or make an appointment with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional.

Click here for Mental Health Resources from Mayo Clinic.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Talks Mental Health in Nike’s New Podcast

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal today announced Ethan Casson, Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx a 2022 Most Admired CEO.

Honorees are selected for their leadership and outstanding contributions to their company, industry, and community in which they serve. In its seventh year, this is the first time a professional sports executive has been recognized as a Most Admired CEO.

Casson is being recognized for his focus on advancing social justice and equity in the community, his continued work in growing the organization’s fanbase, and his leadership in spearheading the negotiation and terms related to the sale of the Timberwolves and Lynx.

"This recognition is the result of many people's hard work," said Casson. "Our Twin Cities community has been through unprecedented peaks and valleys throughout the last two years, and this honor speaks to the power and impact a sports organization can have in leading both on and off the court."

Casson is in his sixth season as CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, the Iowa Wolves, and T-Wolves Gaming. He oversees all business operations, working closely with ownership and the leadership team. Casson currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Timberwolves and Lynx Fastbreak Foundation, the Executive Board of Minnesota Sports and Events, and the Advisory Board for Positive Coaching Alliance. He is actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities and is also a member of the NBA's Team Advisory Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp; All 2022 honorees will be featured in a special section of the September issue of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.&nbsp;

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Ethan Casson Named A 2022 Most Admired CEO By Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks each scored 23 points and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied yet again to eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 114-106 in Game 6 on Friday night.

Brandon Clarke added 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Grizzlies, who withstood another quiet night by star Ja Morant and another double-digit deficit entering the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies advanced in the playoffs for the first time in seven years, this time to meet Golden State. They’ll host Game 1 in Memphis.

Anthony Edwards had 16 of his 30 points in the first quarter for Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels had 24 points off the bench, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Morant went 4 for 14 from the field and had 17 points and 11 assists.

With the Grizzlies already the first team in NBA history to win multiple games in the same playoff series by erasing a double-digit-point fourth-quarter deficit, the here-we-go-again feeling was palpable in the building as an 84-74 lead for the Wolves at the third-quarter break quickly vanished.

Bane and Brooks each hit tying 3-pointers midway through the fourth, and Brooks fouled out just 26 seconds after his evened the score at 97.

Bane then swished another one from deep at 3:03 for a 101-99 lead, the first for the Grizzlies since they were up 39-38.

The kill shot came soon after for a Wolves team that, like so many others against the Grizzlies this season, was consistently a step and a jump behind on the glass.

Tyus Jones missed a pair of 3-pointers from the wing on the same possession, but the Grizzlies rebounded both — and Morant used the second one for a layup and a four-point lead.

After McDaniels, who had the game of his two-year career, hit a 3 with 1:34 left to bring the Wolves back within one, Jones — the former Timberwolves player and native of Minnesota — answered with a 3-pointer to bump the lead back to two possessions with 1:09 left.

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Timberwolves Eliminated By Grizzlies, 114-106

The Minnesota Timberwolves are back at Target Center on Friday night as they face the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Memphis currently leads the series 3-2 after defeating Minnesota 111-109 after Ja Morant made a last second layup for the lead on Tuesday night. The Grizzlies guard, who was also named the NBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday, tallied a game-high 30 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in the game.

Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-high 28 points in the game with 12 rebounds and three steals, while teammate Anthony Edwards contributed 22 points.

If Minnesota comes up victorious, Game Seven will be played in Memphis on Sunday.

Read up on everything you need to know before attending Game Six » on.nba.com/38y7zeg

Memphis: Ziaire Williams (Right Knee Soreness) is DOUBTFUL. Steven Adams (Health and Safety Protocols), Santi Aldama (Right Knee Soreness) and Killian Tillie (Lower Back Procedure Recovery) are OUT.

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Preview: Wolves vs. Grizzlies (Game Six)

Minneapolis-St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that 200 level membership seats will be available for purchase at 1:00 p.m. CT for the 2022-23 season, starting at just $16 per seat at www.Timberwolves.com/memberships or call 612-673-1234.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

2022-23 season memberships purchased today receive a member discount on the last remaining seats for Friday’s Game 6 matchup at Target Center vs. Memphis. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN, Bally Sports North and can be heard on WCCO-AM Radio and the Audacy app.&nbsp;

Members receive 50% off concessions and team merchandise, priority access to playoff tickets and special member pricing throughout the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;