1997–98 Minnesota Timberwolves season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Minnesota Timberwolves 1998 45 37 Midwest 3 7 Flip Saunders Kevin McHale Glen Taylor Target Center KAREKLGT-TVMidwest Sports Channel KFAN First round(lost to SuperSonics 2–3) MIN The 1997–98 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the ninth season for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association. Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ August 8, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Timberwolves acquired Stanley Roberts from the Los Angeles Clippers on draft day, Gardner Kris Archive: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses: 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals The Houston Roundball Review June 25, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/062597draftdaydeals.html September 25, 2023 Howard-Cooper Scott Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7001-story.html January 14, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You Los Angeles Times June 27, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-27-sp-7555-story.html November 18, 2022 and later on signed free agent Tom Hammonds in November. Associated Press The Houston Rockets, Who Will Be Without... Los Angeles Times November 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-26-sp-57886-story.html July 12, 2022 Facer Dick 24-Second Clock Deseret News November 30, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/11/30/19348738/24-second-clock February 4, 2023 In October, All-Star forward Kevin Garnett signed a six-year contract extension with the Timberwolves, which was worth $126 million. Associated Press Garnett's Big Deal: More Than $121 Million Los Angeles Times October 2, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-02-sp-38389-story.html June 27, 2022 Smith Sam Garnett Hits Jackpot of $123 Million Chicago Tribune October 2, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-10-02-9710020351-story.html October 20, 2023 Associated Press Garnett's $126 Million: Wolves' Bargain or Bust? Deseret News October 17, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/10/17/19340199/garnett-s-126-million-wolves-bargain-or-bust December 12, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Roberts and Hammonds, the Timberwolves won six of their first nine games of the regular season, but then lost nine of their next eleven games, falling below .500 in winning percentage. The team soon recovered posting a seven-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 26–20 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 July 20, 2022 However, Tom Gugliotta suffered an ankle injury after 41 games, and was out for the remainder of the season, Wolves' Gugliotta Out for Season Associated Press February 20, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/ba154178016bac16f7bc39bdd95c79f4 June 19, 2021 Times Wire Services Referee Pleads Guilty Los Angeles Times February 21, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-21-sp-21574-story.html October 3, 2022 T-Wolves' Gugliotta Out for Season Deseret News January 21, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/2/21/19364871/t-wolves-gugliotta-out-for-season December 15, 2022 while Chris Carr, who became the team's starting shooting guard this season, also suffered a season-ending ankle injury after 51 games. Associated Press Grizzlies' West Vows to Deal with Drinking Los Angeles Times February 25, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-25-sp-22789-story.html?_amp=true January 15, 2022 At mid-season, the team traded long-time Timberwolves guard Doug West to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for Anthony Peeler. Heisler Mark It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals Los Angeles Times February 20, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html December 4, 2022 Smith Sam NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal Chicago Tribune February 20, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200078-story.html June 22, 2023 Trade Completed The Washington Post February 22, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/22/trade-completed/837c37b1-3e95-46e1-b749-1318026d6b1a/ November 9, 2022 The Timberwolves won seven of their final eight games of the season, and finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record, earning the seventh seed in the Western Conference; 1997–98 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/1998_games.html June 21, 2021 it was their first winning record above .500, as the team qualified for their second NBA playoff appearance. Gugliotta averaged 20.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while Garnett averaged 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, and second-year star Stephon Marbury provided the team with 17.7 points, 8.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Peeler contributed 13.0 points, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 30 games after the trade, while Sam Mitchell provided with 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, Carr contributed 9.9 points per game, and Terry Porter contributed 9.5 points and 3.3 assists per game. On the defensive side, Cherokee Parks averaged 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while Roberts contributed 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Hammonds provided with 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. 1997–98 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Garnett was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Howard-Cooper Scott Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored Los Angeles Times January 28, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-28-sp-13049-story.html April 20, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1998 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1998 May 16, 2023 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html November 27, 2021 Despite a stellar season, Marbury was not selected for the NBA All-Star Game. Popularity, Not Merit, Again Wins More Votes  The Baltimore Sun  February 1, 1998  https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/02/01/popularity-not-merit-again-wins-more-votes/ April 29, 2026 Garnett also finished tied in eleventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html December 30, 2024 The Timberwolves finished eleventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 738,590 at the Target Center during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Timberwolves faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Seattle SuperSonics, who were led by the All-Star trio of Gary Payton, Vin Baker and Detlef Schrempf. The Timberwolves lost Game 1 to the SuperSonics on the road, 108–83 at the KeyArena at Seattle Center, 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 24, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804240SEA.html June 6, 2026 but managed to win Game 2 on the road, 98–93 to even the series; it was the first time in franchise history that the Timberwolves won an NBA playoff game. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs: Finally, Post-Season Success The New York Times April 27, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/27/sports/nba-playoffs-finally-post-season-success.html January 29, 2023 Associated Press Timberwolves Stun SuperSonics Los Angeles Times April 27, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-27-sp-43595-story.html January 29, 2023 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 2: Minnesota Timberwolves at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 26, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804260SEA.html June 6, 2026 The Timberwolves won Game 3 over the SuperSonics at home, 98–90 at the Target Center to take a 2–1 series lead. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs: Minnesota Shocks Seattle The New York Times April 29, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/29/sports/nba-playoffs-minnesota-shocks-seattle.html January 18, 2022 Associated Press SuperSonics Facing Elimination Again Los Angeles Times April 29, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-29-sp-44230-story.html October 5, 2022 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Seattle SuperSonics at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, April 28, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804280MIN.html June 6, 2026 However, the Timberwolves lost the next two games, which included a Game 5 loss to the SuperSonics at the KeyArena at Seattle Center, 97–84, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press The N.B.A. Playoffs: Sonics Advance After Submerging the Spunky Timberwolves The New York Times May 3, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/03/sports/the-nba-playoffs-sonics-advance-after-submerging-the-spunky-timberwolves.html July 26, 2017 Heisler Mark SuperSonics Put Cubs to Bed Los Angeles Times May 3, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-03-sp-46043-story.html May 30, 2022 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. SuperSonics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-western-conference-first-round-timberwolves-vs-supersonics.html February 4, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Gugliotta signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns, CBS News.com Staff Suns Acquire Tom Gugliotta CBS News January 23, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suns-acquire-tom-gugliotta/ February 2, 2023 Associated Press NBA Dealings: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign Kitsap Sun January 23, 1999 https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/01-23/0066_nba_dealings__mcdyess__divac_and_.html June 25, 2023 Associated Press Gugliotta Winds Up in Valley of the Sun Los Angeles Times January 24, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-24-sp-1302-story.html February 2, 2023 while Porter signed with the Miami Heat, Barnes Craig Players Might Need Time to Remove Rust Sun Sentinel February 5, 1999 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-02-05-9902040702-story.html October 10, 2022 Barnes Craig Riley's Evaluation: Enthusiasm Missing Sun Sentinel February 7, 1999 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-02-07-9902070100-story.html January 30, 2023 Roberts signed with the Houston Rockets, Associated Press N.B.A.: Rose Finds His Shooting Range as Indiana Starts with Victory The New York Times February 6, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/06/sports/nba-rose-finds-his-shooting-range-as-indiana-starts-with-victory.html September 18, 2022 and Parks signed with the Vancouver Grizzlies. CBS News.com Staff Grizzlies Sign Top Pick Bibby CBS News January 22, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grizzlies-sign-top-pick-bibby/#app November 18, 2022 Meanwhile, the oft-injured Michael Williams, who returned to play for the Timberwolves for the first time in two years due to a left heel injury, Associated Press Plus: Basketball: Williams Cleared The New York Times September 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/sports/plus-basketball-williams-cleared.html November 8, 2022 Timberwolves' Williams Finally Returns United Press International December 12, 1997 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/12/23/Timberwolves-Williams-finally-returns/3223882853200/ July 18, 2021 was released to free agency. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 20 Paul Grant C Wisconsin 2 43 Gordon Malone PF West Virginia Roster Minnesota Timberwolves 1997–98 #005083 #FFFFFF #000000 #FFFFFF 43 Chris Carr basketball G 6 5 207 1974–03–12 Southern Illinois 17 Bill Curley F 6 9 220 1972–05–29 Boston College 21 Kevin Garnett F/C 6 11 220 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy (IL) 24 Tom Gugliotta F 6 10 240 1969–12–19 North Carolina State 20 Tom Hammonds F 6 9 215 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech 31 Reggie Jordan G 6 4 195 1968–01–26 New Mexico State 3 Stephon Marbury G 6 2 180 1977–02–20 Georgia Tech 42 Sam Mitchell basketball F 6 6 210 1963–09–02 Mercer 44 Cherokee Parks C 6 11 235 1972–10–11 Duke 1 Anthony Peeler G 6 4 208 1969–11–25 Missouri 30 Terry Porter G 6 3 195 1963–04–08 UW-Stevens Point 53 Stanley Roberts C 7 0 285 1970–02–07 LSU 6 DeJuan Wheat G 6 0 165 1973–10–14 Louisville 4 Micheal Williams G 6 2 175 1966–07–23 Baylor Flip Saunders Greg Ballard Jerry Sichting Randy Wittman (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/1998.html February 18, 1998 Roster Notes Rookie center Paul Grant was on the injured reserve list due to foot and ankle injuries, and missed the entire regular season. Barkley, NBA Officials to Talk Tampa Bay Times October 31, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/10/31/barkley-nba-officials-to-talk/ December 24, 2023 Utah Inks Paul Grant United Press International January 1, 2004 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2004/01/01/Utah-ink-Paul-Grant/35251072986167/ May 1, 2023 Regular season Season standings MIN MIN z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Playoffs Minnesota Timberwolves 1998 yes #005083 #8c92ac Minnesota Timberwolves #228B22 #000000 First round yes yes no 1 1 1 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 24 | @ Seattle | L 83–108 | Kevin Garnett (18) | Kevin Garnett (18) | Stephon Marbury (5) | KeyArena17,072 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 26 | @ Seattle | W 98–93 | Stephon Marbury (25) | Anthony Peeler (14) | Stephon Marbury (7) | KeyArena17,072 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 28 | Seattle | W 98–90 | Anthony Peeler (20) | Kevin Garnett (8) | Stephon Marbury (11) | Target Center19,006 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 30 | Seattle | L 88–92 | Kevin Garnett (20) | Kevin Garnett (10) | Stephon Marbury (7) | Target Center19,006 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 2 | @ Seattle | L 84–97 | Anthony Peeler (28) | Reggie Jordan (8) | Stephon Marbury (8) | KeyArena17,072 | 2–3 |- MIN yes 1998 Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameKevin GarnettPF82 82 3,222 786 348 139 150 1,518 39.3 9.6 4.2 1.7 1.8 18.5Stephon MarburyPG82 81 3,112 230 704 104 7 1,450 38.0 2.8 8.6 1.3 .1 17.7Terry PorterPG82 8 1,786 168 271 63 16 777 21.8 2.0 3.3 .8 .2 9.5Sam Mitchell basketballSF 81 33 2,239 385 107 64 22 1,000 27.6 4.8 1.3 .8 .3 12.3Cherokee ParksC 79 43 1,703 437 53 36 86 558 21.6 5.5 .7 .5 1.1 7.1Stanley RobertsC 74 44 1,328 363 27 24 72 457 17.9 4.9 .4 .3 1.0 6.2Tom HammondsPF 57 2 1,140 271 36 15 17 346 20.0 4.8 .6 .3 .3 6.1Reggie JordanSG 57 1 487 97 50 35 9 149 8.5 1.7 .9 .6 .2 2.6Chris Carr basketballSG 51 40 1,165 155 85 17 11 504 22.8 3.0 1.7 .3 .2 9.9Tom GugliottaSF 41 41 1,582 356 167 61 22 823 38.6 8.7 4.1 1.5 .5 20.1Doug WestSG 38 10 688 82 45 11 5 157 18.1 2.2 1.2 .3 .1 4.1DeJuan WheatPG 34 0 150 11 25 6 1 57 4.4 .3 .7 .2 .0 1.7Anthony Peeler†SG 30 24 991 103 114 52 6 390 33.0 3.4 3.8 1.7 .2 13.0Micheal WilliamsPG 25 0 161 14 32 9 2 64 6.4 .6 1.3 .4 .1 2.6Bill CurleyPF 11 1 146 28 4 3 1 34 13.3 2.5 .4 .3 .1 3.1Clifford RozierC 6 0 30 6 0 0 0 6 5.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 1.0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only. Playoffs Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameAnthony PeelerSG5 5 213 38 18 10 3 81 42.6 7.6 3.6 2.0 .6 16.2Stephon MarburyPG5 5 209 16 38 12 0 69 41.8 3.2 7.6 2.4 .0 13.8Kevin GarnettPF5 5 194 48 20 4 12 79 38.8 9.6 4.0 .8 2.4 15.8Sam Mitchell basketballSF5 5 177 27 8 1 1 72 35.4 5.4 1.6 .2 .2 14.4Terry PorterPG5 4 188 25 16 5 0 79 37.6 5.0 3.2 1.0 .0 15.8Tom HammondsPF5 1 113 22 2 0 1 36 22.6 4.4 .4 .0 .2 7.2Micheal WilliamsPG 4 0 58 9 11 3 1 20 14.5 2.3 2.8 .8 .3 5.0Reggie JordanSG 2 0 29 9 3 1 0 12 14.5 4.5 1.5 .5 .0 6.0Bill CurleyPF 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 3.5 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0Stanley RobertsC 1 0 8 2 0 0 0 1 8.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 1.0DeJuan WheatPG 1 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 3.0 1.0 .0 1.0 .0 2.0Cherokee ParksC 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 References See also 1997-98 NBA season Category:Minnesota Timberwolves seasons Timber Timber Monnesota