Kevin Garnett’s Return Sparks Hope for Timberwolves in Playoffs
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The familiar cheer for Kevin Garnett filled the air at Minnesota’s Target Center, where the Timberwolves’ legendary forward was welcomed back by fans. Anthony Edwards, the current star of the team, seized the moment to greet Garnett with a warm embrace, drawing inspiration from the Hall of Famer’s presence last week.
Garnett’s visit marked the end of an otherwise lackluster season for the Timberwolves. Edwards, reflecting on the event, remarked, “He’s the greatest Timberwolf of all time. That was big for us, getting him back in the building, and hopefully we can get him back for the playoffs to give us some energy.”
As the Timberwolves prepare to face Denver in the upcoming NBA playoffs, the team draws on past achievements, having reached the Western Conference finals in the previous two seasons. Coach Chris Finch emphasized the need for a renewed vigor, stating, “You don’t ever really want to be a flip-the-switch team, but we do have a switch to flip, and we have to flip it now.”
Edwards, regarded as the driving force of the current squad, follows in Garnett’s footsteps as the team’s catalyst. The four-time All-Star has been instrumental in the Timberwolves’ playoff runs five times in his six-year NBA career. This season, however, saw moments where the team’s focus waned.
Edwards, who averaged career highs with 28.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting and 39.9% from beyond the arc, acknowledged the challenges: “It felt like that at times, like we were just trying to get through the season to get to the playoffs, but we’re here now, and all the other excuses are out the window.”
The Timberwolves’ defensive performance took a hit, slipping to eighth in the league after leading in 2023-24. Center Rudy Gobert stressed the importance of a strong start against their opponents, remarking, “We’re facing a great opponent, and we know that if we don’t come out hungry, we don’t have a chance.”
Edwards is ready for the playoffs after dealing with knee issues that limited him to 61 games this season. He has used the downtime to improve his fitness, reducing his weight to 218 pounds, his lightest since age 18. “I haven’t played a lot in the last month,” Edwards said, “so I’m trying to get back in shape.”
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