Since joining the NBA in 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves have had their fair share of noteworthy moments. From surprising highly-favored teams to establishing franchise records and almost claiming their first title in the unforgettable 2003-2004 season, the Minneapolis-based squad has proven itself through and through as a deadly threat to the rest of the league.
Now standing eighth in the Western Conference with a 16-15 slate on a three-game winning streak, the Wolves are looking to boost their playoff hopes as they are set to face tougher teams in the coming weeks.
However, with the year ending in just a few days, let us take a break from all the game-by-game analyses and instead have a look at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ main highlights from 2022.
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AT LAST, A PLAYOFF APPEARANCE
After failing to advance to the playoffs stage for three consecutive seasons, Minnesota was finally able to snatch a playoff seat after claiming the seventh slot in the Western Conference in the 2021-22 NBA season, posting an impressive 46-36 win-loss card. It was one of the team’s five playoff appearances in the past two decades.
It was certainly a showing unexpected by many, especially with Minnesota usually sitting at the tenth spot and below in the previous seasons. The Wolves heavily relied on then-center Karl-Anthony Towns, who ended the regular season averaging 24.6 points per game, along with 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and a steal.
Set in April this year, Minnesota faced the ever-gritty Memphis Grizzlies to open the playoffs. After six games, the former ended up losing the series and eventually failed to advance to the succeeding round.
Although that was such a bittersweet moment for the Wolves, at least they were able to finally step foot in the playoffs and surpass their mediocre finishes in the previous seasons.
the most points scored by a Wolves player in their first career playoff game.
4th-youngest with 30+ points in a playoff game.
𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐍𝐄. pic.twitter.com/MO4xtI9tVp
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 16, 2022
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THREE-POINT MASTERS
Aside from finally ending a three-year playoff drought, the Minnesota Timberwolves also finished as the team with the most three-point attempts made in the 2021-22 NBA season, burying 1, 211 shots from beyond the arc.
To back the numerous attempts made, the Wolves generated an outstanding 35.8 efficiency on three-pointers, one of the bests in the 30-team league.
Towns led the Wolves in this aspect with a 41.0 percent success rate from beyond the arc, while D’Lo Russell and Anthony Edwards had 34% and 35.7%, respectively.
Aside from producing highly-efficient three-pointers, the Wolves also had a 45.7 success rate from the field in the same season, which significantly improved in the growing 2022-23 NBA season, now at 49.1.
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IT’S THE ANT-MAN SHOW
Since joining the Wolves’ den in 2020, Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards has always been a reliable role player for Minnesota. The 2020 NBA Draft Round 1 first pick currently stands as the leading scorer for his squad, averaging 23 points per game.
The Ant-Man’s presence on the court has been instrumental for the Wolves, especially with two of the team’s main guns Gobert and Towns currently sidelined by injuries. A reliable 6-foot-4 guard-forward, the Ant-Man boasts a jaw-dropping 45/36/75 shooting split this season.
Aside from being such a bankable player, the Ant-Man’s improved clutch attitude he developed this year is something to appreciate too. When the Wolves needed points, Edwards has always delivered for Minnesota. His composure and commitment to the game have also been laudable, for sure.
“I thought he did a really, really good job… He played very composed,” Chris Finch, Minnesota’s head coach, said about Edwards in an interview.
https://twitter.com/theantedwards_/status/1329256572548231175?s=20&t=2bDz4dM0Nk2apebMYwrgBw
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THREE WOLVES IN TOP 25
In September this year, ESPN released a ranking of the best players in the then-upcoming 2022-23 NBA season. Based on statistics, the list included three players from the Minneapolis-based squad: Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards, who landed the 13th, 18th, and 25th spots, respectively.
Although a lot expressed their disappointment after not seeing D’Lo Russell’s name on the list, the three’s appearance made Minnesota the only team in the league to have three players in the top 25.
From another perspective, the list also helped in giving justice to the Wolves’ big offseason moves, one of which is the “Gobert Trade” which we will tackle later. Minnesota just got even better after last season’s playoff loss, and the list made it clear that the Wolves are a team to watch out for this season.
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KAT: WILL 60 DO?
One of the manifestations of how important KAT’s presence was for the Timberwolves was when he tallied a remarkable 60-point performance in a 149-139 win against the San Antonio Spurs, March this year.
Apart from owning almost half of Minnesota’s final output, Towns was also able to surpass his then-56-point record as well as set a new franchise record for the most points scored by a player for Minnesota.
Thirty-two of those 60 points were tallied in the game’s third quarter alone, which now stands as the fourth-best in terms of points scored in a single quarter over the previous 25 editions of the league.
In addition, the record-breaking performance also ended up as the most points tallied by a player in the 2021-22 season, tied with the Nets’ Kyrie Irving.
In the same game, Towns also had 17 rebounds and three assists, backed by an exceptional 61/63/93 shooting split.
KAT reflects on his 60-point game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Y1VONsV66L
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2022
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IMPRESSIVE PRESEASON
Coming off as one of the busiest teams beginning the offseason, Minnesota’s efforts paid off as they finished this year’s preseason as the league’s fifth-best squad, dropping just a single game in five outings.
In spite of playing most of their games on the road, Minnesota managed to escape with the win in all four road games. Ironically, the only loss they had, which was against the Nets, was held in their home at the Target Center.
During the preseason, as a team, the Wolves averaged 114.8 points per game, along with 47.6 rebounds, 27.2 assists, 10.6 steals, and 4.4 blocks. Minnesota also generated an excellent 46/32/74 shooting split, eventually earning them a .800 winning rate and a 4.4 differential.
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STIFLE TOWER’S DEBUT
The addition of three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to Minnesota’s roster is definitely one for the books. A multi-awarded towering center, Gobert was deemed to be the missing piece the Wolves have been looking for.
Although he already suited up for the Wolves twice in the preseason, the French big man’s first official game for Minnesota was in the team’s season-opener against Oklahoma, winning 115-108.
Listed as his Wolves debut, the Stifle Tower delivered right when the team needed him the most, finishing with team-highs 23 points and 16 rebounds, while also dishing out two assists.
To make his Timberwolves debut more noteworthy, Gobert’s 16 rebounds also broke Al Jefferson’s record in 2007-08 as the most rebounds tallied by a player in their Wolves debut. Meanwhile, the 7-foot-1 center’s double-digit outing also helped in giving him such a good start for the Wolves, as he usually had single-digit outputs in his stay with Utah.
“If we keep playing like this, we will be very good… With this mindset, we are heading in the right direction,” Gobert said in his first Timberwolves post-game interview.
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REVAMPED AND REBUILT ROSTER
After successfully returning to the playoffs last season, Minnesota was determined to repeat the same feat, but now, advance to the succeeding rounds.
With a back-to-back playoffs appearance in mind, the team’s front office spent a lot of time searching for talents to add to the Wolves’ roster.
Minnesota started to revamp and rebuild the team by tapping the services of a couple of experienced NBA stars, including three-point expert Bryn Forbes, all-around guard-forward Kyle Anderson, Duke alum Wendell Moore Jr., 6-foot-8 forward Josh Minott, and 10-year NBA veteran Austin Rivers.
To add more depth to the already deep roster, Minnesota also decided to list G-League standouts AJ Lawson and Luka Garza to the team’s two two-way contracts, which gives them the opportunity to tap these two any time the senior squad needs them.
With the majority of these moves made during the offseason, the Wolves had to live up to the spectators’ expectations of the team. Good thing, the revamped and rebuilt Minnesota squad has been enjoying the fruits of these offseason efforts so far.
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RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Just recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves found another way to add another highlight to the team’s 2022 run. This time, by breaking their franchise record for most points scored in a single game.
The record was achieved after the team’s 150-126 victory against the struggling Chicago Bulls. The team’s previous record was set last season at 149, the same game when KAT tallied another record-breaking performance with 60 points.
However, what makes this performance more interesting is that it was achieved even with key guns Gobert and Towns sidelined by injuries.
This for sure added to the team’s confidence and composure. Moreover, the record-breaking performance also indicated how the Wolves can anytime take advantage of their deep roster and not heavily rely on their two main stars.
1. Rudy Gobert Trade Deal
Of course, this list would not be complete without the trade that rocked the NBA universe really hard: the Gobert trade.
In order to acquire Gobert’s services, Minnesota had to send five players, including key guns Beverley, Beasley, and Vanderbilt, along with five other picks, to Utah.
The trade was done in early July, a month after the 2021-22 NBA season ended. This quick move by the Wolves’ front office not only intrigued the rest of the league but even the team’s supporters as well. Did they just give up on their key players to have Gobert on their roster? They did.
Gobert’s addition had Towns move to the forward position, which benefited the team in a couple of ways. His remarkable defense was also deemed to complement KAT’s outstanding offense, and in the games, the two shared the court, and the games turned out really well.
Through and through, Minnesota reaps the fruits of the Gobert trade. However, for now, that is all the team could get.
"I tell you this, I think Rudy is a little underrated offensively… He's a closer."@AROD joins NBA TV to discuss the Timberwolves trade for Rudy Gobert and hiring Tim Connelly as President of Basketball Operations. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/3Z9CivJq7x
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 13, 2022
FINAL THOUGHTS
The year has definitely pushed the Wolves to their limits, as a franchise, and as individuals. With a couple of games left before ending the year, Minnesota can bank on the lessons and experiences the team has gone through to boost their playoff chances.
A brighter, healthier future is what the Wolves have to look forward to. Breaking records, winning games, and upgrading their skills is what the Wolves have to set their focus to.
Credits on Featured Image: Flickr/Michael Tipton/Commercial Use Allowed
