The Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis that competes in the NBA as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves made their entry into the NBA as an expansion team in 1989. It was the return of NBA basketball to Minneapolis after the relocation of the Minneapolis Lakers to Los Angeles in 1960.
Like many expansion teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a tough start. However, a turning point came in the 1995 NBA draft when the Timberwolves selected high school standout Kevin Garnett (KG) with the fifth overall pick. They made the playoffs for eight straight seasons from 1997 to 2004. Although they lost in the first round seven times, they won their first division title in 2004 and reached the Western Conference Finals that year. As of May 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves have won no championships or conference titles but have one division title from 2004.
How many times have the Minnesota Timberwolves made the playoffs?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made the NBA playoffs a total of 13 times as of May 2025.
Minnesota Timberwolves Playoff Record
The Minnesota Timberwolves have an overall playoff record of 38-51, as of May 2025 (according to Statmuse).
| No. | Team | Record | Season |
| 1 | Timberwolves | 0–3 | 1996–97 |
| 2 | Timberwolves | 2–3 | 1997–98 |
| 3 | Timberwolves | 1–3 | 1998–99 |
| 4 | Timberwolves | 1–3 | 1999–00 |
| 5 | Timberwolves | 1–3 | 2000–01 |
| 6 | Timberwolves | 0–3 | 2001–02 |
| 7 | Timberwolves | 2–4 | 2002–03 |
| 8 | Timberwolves | 10–8 | 2003–04 |
| 9 | Timberwolves | 1–4 | 2017–18 |
| 10 | Timberwolves | 2–4 | 2021–22 |
| 11 | Timberwolves | 1–4 | 2022–23 |
| 12 | Timberwolves | 9–7 | 2023–24 |
| 13 | Timberwolves | 8–2 | 2024–25 |
| Total | 38–51 |
Number of conference finals won by the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have not won the Western Conference Finals as of May 2025.
Number of NBA championships won by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Since their establishment in Minneapolis in the 1989-1990 NBA season, the Timberwolves have not won an NBA championship title (via Basketball Reference).
Minnesota Timberwolves' Last Playoff Appearance
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a playoff appearance in the 2024–25 NBA season. As of May 19, 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves are competing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals (via the NBA official website).
FAQ's On Minnesota Timberwolves
A. The Minnesota Timberwolves have never reached the NBA finals in their 35 years of existence in the NBA.
A. The Minnesota Timberwolves play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference as of May 2025.
A. No. The Minnesota Timberwolves have never won the NBA championship.
A. The Minnesota Timberwolves have won a total of 21 playoff games throughout their franchise history, as of April 2024.
