2021–22 Minnesota Timberwolves season

The 2021–22 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 33rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season for the league began on October 19, 2021 and featured the normal 82-game schedule for the first time since the 2018–19 season.[1] On September 22, 2021, general manager Gersson Rosas was fired,[2] and was subsequently replaced by Sachin Gupta.[2]

2021–22 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachChris Finch
General managerSachin Gupta
Owner(s)Glen Taylor
ArenaTarget Center
Results
Record46–36 (.561)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Northwest)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(lost to Grizzlies 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports North
RadioWCCO

With a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 19, the Timberwolves clinched their first winning season since 2018, and only their second winning season since 2005.[3] After a win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament on April 12, 2022, the Timberwolves clinched their first playoff berth since 2018.[4] However, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round in six games.[5]

Previous season
See also: 2020–21 Minnesota Timberwolves season

The Timberwolves concluded the 2020–21 season with 23–49 record, finishing last in the Northwest Division and thirteenth in the Western Conference.[6]

NBA draft
Main article: 2021 NBA draft

Minnesota did not hold any picks in the 2021 NBA draft.[7]

Roster
2021–22 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 5 Beasley, Malik 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 1996-11-26 Florida State
G 22 Beverley, Patrick 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1988-07-12 Arkansas
F 9 Bolmaro, Leandro 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-09-11 Argentina
G 1 Edwards, Anthony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2001-08-05 Georgia
F/C 13 Knight, Nathan (TW) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1997-09-20 William & Mary
F 10 Layman, Jake 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1994-03-07 Maryland
F 3 McDaniels, Jaden 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-09-29 Washington
G 6 McLaughlin, Jordan 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1996-04-09 USC
C 55 Monroe, Greg 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1990-06-04 Georgetown
G 4 Nowell, Jaylen 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1999-07-09 Washington
G 20 Okogie, Josh 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1998-09-01 Georgia Tech
F 12 Prince, Taurean 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1994-03-22 Baylor
C 11 Reid, Naz 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 264 lb (120 kg) 1999-08-26 LSU
G 0 Russell, D'Angelo 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1996-02-23 Ohio State
F/C 32 Towns, Karl-Anthony (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1995-11-15 Kentucky
F 8 Vanderbilt, Jarred 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1999-04-03 Kentucky
G 25 Wright, McKinley Injured (TW) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-10-25 Colorado
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 11, 2022

Standings

Game log

Preseason
2021 preseason game log
Total: 3–1 (home: 1-0; road: 2-1)
Preseason: 3–1 (home: 1–0; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 4 New Orleans W 117–114 D'Angelo Russell (19) Towns, Vanderbilt (7) Patrick Beverley (6) Target Center
5,715		 1–0
2 October 8 @ Denver W 114–112 (OT) Malik Beasley (13) Jarred Vanderbilt (8) D'Angelo Russell (6) Ball Arena
11,927		 2–0
3 October 11 @ L.A. Clippers W 128–100 D'Angelo Russell (19) Karl-Anthony Towns (9) D'Angelo Russell (9) Toyota Arena
4,850		 3–0
4 October 14 @ Brooklyn L 101–107 Anthony Edwards (23) Karl-Anthony Towns (8) Karl-Anthony Towns (6) Barclays Center
11,210		 3–1
2021–22 season schedule

Regular season
2021–22 game log
Total: 46–36 (home: 26–15; road: 20–21)
October: 3–2 (home: 2–2; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 20 Houston W 124–106 Karl-Anthony Towns (30) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (7) Target Center
16,079		 1–0
2 October 23 New Orleans W 96–89 Karl-Anthony Towns (25) Anthony Edwards (9) Patrick Beverley (6) Target Center
15,343		 2–0
3 October 25 New Orleans L 98–107 Karl-Anthony Towns (32) Karl-Anthony Towns (14) Karl-Anthony Towns (7) Target Center
14,435		 2–1
4 October 27 @ Milwaukee W 113–108 D'Angelo Russell (29) Jarred Vanderbilt (13) Patrick Beverley (7) Fiserv Forum
17,341		 3–1
5 October 30 Denver L 91–93 Malik Beasley (18) Anthony Edwards (11) D'Angelo Russell (6) Target Center
17,136		 3–2
November: 8–8 (home: 5–5; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
6 November 1 Orlando L 97–115 Anthony Edwards (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (16) Karl-Anthony Towns (6) Target Center
14,744		 3–3
7 November 3 L.A. Clippers L 115–126 Anthony Edwards (28) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) Patrick Beverley (8) Target Center
15,386		 3–4
8 November 5 L.A. Clippers L 84–104 Karl-Anthony Towns (20) Towns, Vanderbilt (8) Jordan McLaughlin (5) Target Center
17,136		 3–5
9 November 7 @ Memphis L 118–125 (OT) Anthony Edwards (27) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) D'Angelo Russell (7) FedExForum
12,416		 3–6
10 November 10 @ Golden State L 110–123 Anthony Edwards (48) Karl-Anthony Towns (12) Beverley, Russell (7) Chase Center
18,064		 3–7
11 November 12 @ L.A. Lakers W 107–83 Karl-Anthony Towns (29) Beverley, Towns (7) D'Angelo Russell (7) Staples Center
18,997		 4–7
12 November 13 @ L.A. Clippers L 102–129 Anthony Edwards (21) Anthony Edwards (9) D'Angelo Russell (8) Staples Center
15,285		 4–8
13 November 15 Phoenix L 94–99 Karl-Anthony Towns (35) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) Anthony Edwards (6) Target Center
16,279		 4–9
14 November 17 Sacramento W 107–97 Karl-Anthony Towns (22) Jarred Vanderbilt (7) Beverley, Russell (7) Target Center
13,108		 5–9
15 November 18 San Antonio W 115–90 Karl-Anthony Towns (25) Towns, Vanderbilt (12) Anthony Edwards (6) Target Center
13,572		 6–9
16 November 20 Memphis W 138–95 D'Angelo Russell (28) Jarred Vanderbilt (10) D'Angelo Russell (5) Target Center
17,136		 7–9
17 November 22 @ New Orleans W 110–96 Karl-Anthony Towns (28) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (8) Smoothie King Center
15,689		 8–9
18 November 24 Miami W 113–101 Anthony Edwards (33) Jarred Vanderbilt (15) Edwards, Russell (6) Target Center
17,136		 9–9
19 November 26 @ Charlotte L 115–133 Karl-Anthony Towns (25) Jarred Vanderbilt (8) Karl-Anthony Towns (6) Spectrum Center
19,314		 9–10
20 November 27 @ Philadelphia W 121–120 (OT) Karl-Anthony Towns (28) Jarred Vanderbilt (14) D'Angelo Russell (8) Wells Fargo Center
21,011		 10–10
21 November 29 Indiana W 100–98 Karl-Anthony Towns (32) Anthony Edwards (9) D'Angelo Russell (11) Target Center
14,191		 11–10
December: 5–9 (home: 3–4; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
22 December 1 @ Washington L 107–115 Karl-Anthony Towns (34) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (9) Capital One Arena
15,318		 11–11
23 December 3 @ Brooklyn L 105–110 D'Angelo Russell (21) Jarred Vanderbilt (15) D'Angelo Russell (11) Barclays Center
17,732		 11–12
24 December 6 Atlanta L 110–121 Karl-Anthony Towns (31) Karl-Anthony Towns (16) Anthony Edwards (7) Target Center
15,736		 11–13
25 December 8 Utah L 104–136 Karl-Anthony Towns (22) Karl-Anthony Towns (7) Edwards, Towns (5) Target Center
15,181		 11–14
26 December 10 Cleveland L 106–123 Karl-Anthony Towns (21) Jarred Vanderbilt (8) Patrick Beverley (7) Target Center
15,694		 11–15
27 December 12 @ Portland W 116–111 Anthony Edwards (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (5) Moda Center
16,591		 12–15
28 December 15 @ Denver W 124–107 Anthony Edwards (38) Russell, Vanderbilt (8) Patrick Beverley (8) Ball Arena
15,365		 13–15
29 December 17 L.A. Lakers W 110–92 Karl-Anthony Towns (28) Jarred Vanderbilt (16) Patrick Beverley (7) Target Center
17,136		 14–15
30 December 19 Dallas W 111–105 Karl-Anthony Towns (24) Jarred Vanderbilt (10) Karl-Anthony Towns (6) Target Center
16,127		 15–15
31 December 21 @ Dallas L 102–114 Karl-Anthony Towns (26) Karl-Anthony Towns (14) D'Angelo Russell (12) American Airlines Center
20,056		 15–16
32 December 23 @ Utah L 102–114 Malik Beasley (33) Naz Reid (10) D'Angelo Russell (14) Vivint Arena
18,306		 15–17
33 December 27 Boston W 108–103 Jaylen Nowell (29) Nathan Knight (11) Jordan McLaughlin (10) Target Center
15,962		 16–17
34 December 28 New York L 88–96 Malik Beasley (20) Beverley, Knight (7) Patrick Beverley (7) Target Center
16,339		 16–18
35 December 31 @ Utah L 108–120 Anthony Edwards (26) Reid, Vanderbilt (7) Patrick Beverley (6) Vivint Arena
18,306		 16–19
January: 9–6 (home: 4–0; road: 5–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
36 January 2 @ L.A. Lakers L 103–108 Naz Reid (23) Jarred Vanderbilt (12) Patrick Beverley (6) Crypto.com Arena
18,343		 16–20
37 January 3 @ L.A. Clippers W 122–104 Anthony Edwards (28) Jarred Vanderbilt (9) Patrick Beverley (12) Crypto.com Arena
15,959		 17–20
38 January 5 Oklahoma City W 98–90 Anthony Edwards (22) Karl-Anthony Towns (16) Patrick Beverley (6) Target Center
14,375		 18–20
39 January 7 @ Oklahoma City W 135–105 D'Angelo Russell (27) Jarred Vanderbilt (16) D'Angelo Russell (12) Paycom Center
14,874		 19–20
40 January 9 @ Houston W 141–123 Karl-Anthony Towns (40) Jarred Vanderbilt (19) D'Angelo Russell (10) Toyota Center
15,277		 20–20
41 January 11 @ New Orleans L 125–128 Anthony Edwards (28) Karl-Anthony Towns (8) D'Angelo Russell (10) Smoothie King Center
15,155		 20–21
42 January 13 @ Memphis L 108–116 Anthony Edwards (30) Jarred Vanderbilt (13) Beverley, Russell (6) FedEx Forum
15,881		 20–22
43 January 16 Golden State W 119–99 Karl-Anthony Towns (26) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) D'Angelo Russell (12) Target Center
17,136		 21–22
44 January 18 @ New York W 112–110 Anthony Edwards (21) Jarred Vanderbilt (7) Patrick Beverley (6) Madison Square Garden
16,071		 22–22
45 January 19 @ Atlanta L 122–134 D'Angelo Russell (31) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) Karl-Anthony Towns (7) State Farm Arena
15,199		 22–23
46 January 23 Brooklyn W 136–125 Anthony Edwards (25) Jarred Vanderbilt (9) D'Angelo Russell (10) Target Center
16,475		 23–23
47 January 25 @ Portland W 109–107 Anthony Edwards (40) Karl-Anthony Towns (17) Jarred Vanderbilt (6) Moda Center
16,422		 24–23
48 January 27 @ Golden State L 115–124 Karl-Anthony Towns (31) Karl-Anthony Towns (12) Edwards, Towns (6) Chase Center
18,064		 24–24
49 January 28 @ Phoenix L 124–134 Anthony Edwards (27) Karl-Anthony Towns (9) Anthony Edwards (10) Footprint Center
17,071		 24–25
50 January 30 Utah W 126–106 Karl-Anthony Towns (31) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) Target Center
10,407		 25–25
February: 8–4 (home: 4–2; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
51 February 1 Denver W 130–115 Karl-Anthony Towns (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) McLaughlin, Towns (7) Target Center
15,839		 26–25
52 February 3 @ Detroit W 128–117 Anthony Edwards (25) Karl-Anthony Towns (14) Patrick Beverley (7) Little Caesars Arena
15,523		 27–25
53 February 6 Detroit W 118–105 Karl-Anthony Towns (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (12) D'Angelo Russell (8) Target Center
16,487		 28–25
54 February 8 @ Sacramento W 134–114 Karl-Anthony Towns (25) Jarred Vanderbilt (11) Jordan McLaughlin (11) Golden 1 Center
12,409		 29–25
55 February 9 @ Sacramento L 119–132 D'Angelo Russell (29) Jarred Vanderbilt (11) D'Angelo Russell (10) Golden 1 Center
12,527		 29–26
56 February 11 @ Chicago L 122–134 Anthony Edwards (31) Karl-Anthony Towns (8) Edwards, Towns (8) United Center
20,092		 29–27
57 February 13 @ Indiana W 129–120 Anthony Edwards (37) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) D'Angelo Russell (6) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
13,532		 30–27
58 February 15 Charlotte W 126–120 (OT) Karl-Anthony Towns (39) Karl-Anthony Towns (15) D'Angelo Russell (11) Target Center
17,136		 31–27
59 February 16 Toronto L 91–103 Karl-Anthony Towns (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) D'Angelo Russell (7) Target Center
15,982		 31–28
60 February 24 Memphis W 119–114 D'Angelo Russell (37) Jarred Vanderbilt (12) D'Angelo Russell (9) Target Center
16,326		 32–28
61 February 25 Philadelphia L 102–133 Karl-Anthony Towns (25) Jarred Vanderbilt (8) Anthony Edwards (5) Target Center
16,684		 32–29
62 February 28 @ Cleveland W 127–122 D'Angelo Russell (25) Jarred Vanderbilt (9) Jordan McLaughlin (7) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
18,421		 33–29
March: 10–5 (home: 7–1; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
63 March 1 Golden State W 129–114 Karl-Anthony Towns (39) Karl-Anthony Towns (9) Beverley, Russell (7) Target Center
17,136		 34–29
64 March 4 @ Oklahoma City W 138–101 Reid, Towns (20) Towns, Vanderbilt (8) Patrick Beverley (8) Paycom Center
15,180		 35–29
65 March 5 Portland W 135–121 Karl-Anthony Towns (36) Karl-Anthony Towns (15) D'Angelo Russell (15) Target Center
17,136		 36–29
66 March 7 Portland W 124–81 Karl-Anthony Towns (27) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) Patrick Beverley (7) Target Center
16,035		 37–29
67 March 9 Oklahoma City W 132–102 Malik Beasley (33) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) D'Angelo Russell (12) Target Center
16,191		 38–29
68 March 11 @ Orlando L 110–118 Anthony Edwards (25) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) D'Angelo Russell (7) Amway Center
14,557		 38–30
69 March 12 @ Miami W 113–104 Jaylen Nowell (16) Reid, Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (9) FTX Arena
19,600		 39–30
70 March 14 @ San Antonio W 149–139 Karl-Anthony Towns (60) Karl-Anthony Towns (17) Patrick Beverley (8) AT&T Center
14,143		 40–30
71 March 16 L.A. Lakers W 124–104 Karl-Anthony Towns (30) Jarred Vanderbilt (9) D'Angelo Russell (6) Target Center
17,136		 41–30
72 March 19 Milwaukee W 138–119 Edwards, Towns (25) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) D'Angelo Russell (9) Target Center
17,136		 42–30
73 March 21 @ Dallas L 108–110 Karl-Anthony Towns (22) Towns, Vanderbilt (8) Beverley, Rusell (4) American Airlines Center
20,077		 42–31
74 March 23 Phoenix L 116–125 Anthony Edwards (19) Jarred Vanderbilt (12) D'Angelo Russell (7) Target Center
17,136		 42–32
75 March 25 Dallas W 115–96 Karl-Anthony Towns (20) Karl-Anthony Towns (9) D'Angelo Russell (8) Target Center
17,136		 43–32
76 March 27 @ Boston L 112–134 Anthony Edwards (24) Anthony Edwards (5) Edwards, Russell (6) TD Garden
19,156		 43–33
77 March 30 @ Toronto L 102–125 Anthony Edwards (24) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) Jordan McLaughlin (5) Scotiabank Arena
19,800		 43–34
April: 3–2 (home: 1–2; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
78 April 1 @ Denver W 136–130 Karl-Anthony Towns (32) Karl-Anthony Towns (9) Anthony Edwards (7) Ball Arena
19,612		 44–34
79 April 3 @ Houston W 139–132 Anthony Edwards (33) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) D'Angelo Russell (9) Toyota Center
16,539		 45–34
80 April 5 Washington L 114–132 Karl-Anthony Towns (26) Karl-Anthony Towns (10) D'Angelo Russell (11) Target Center
17,136		 45–35
81 April 7 San Antonio W 127–121 Anthony Edwards (49) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) Edwards, Beverley (8) Target Center
17,136		 46–35
82 April 10 Chicago L 120–124 Nathan Knight (17) Nathan Knight (8) Greg Monroe (5) Target Center
17,136		 46–36
2021–22 season schedule

Play-in
2022 play-in game log
Total: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
Play-in: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 April 12 LA Clippers W 109–104 Anthony Edwards (30) Patrick Beverley (12) D'Angelo Russell (6) Target Center
17,136		 1–0
2021–22 season schedule

Playoffs
Main article: 2022 NBA playoffs
2021–22 game log
Total: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
First Round: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 April 16 @ Memphis W 130–117 Anthony Edwards (36) Karl-Anthony Towns (13) D'Angelo Russell (9) FedExForum
17,794		 1–0
2 April 19 @ Memphis L 96–124 Anthony Edwards (20) Karl-Anthony Towns (11) Russell, Beverley, McLaughlin FedExForum
17,794		 1–1
3 April 21 Memphis L 95–104 D'Angelo Russell (22) Jarred Vanderbilt (13) D'Angelo Russell (8) Target Center
19,364		 1–2
4 April 23 Memphis W 119–118 Karl-Anthony Towns (33) Karl-Anthony Towns (14) D'Angelo Russell (7) Target Center
19,832		 2–2
5 April 26 @ Memphis L 109–111 Karl-Anthony Towns (28) Karl-Anthony Towns (12) D'Angelo Russell (8) FedExForum
17,794		 2–3
6 April 29 Memphis L 106–114 Anthony Edwards (30) Karl-Athony Towns (10) Anthony Edwards (5) Target Center
20,323		 2–4
2021–22 season schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Transactions
Main article: List of 2021–22 NBA season transactions

Trades
August 3, 2021[8] To Minnesota Timberwolves
Taurean Prince
2022 WAS second−round pick
Cash considerations		 To Cleveland Cavaliers
Ricky Rubio
August 25, 2021[9] To Minnesota Timberwolves
Patrick Beverley		 To Memphis Grizzlies
Jarrett Culver
Juancho Hernangómez

Additions
Player Signed Former team
Nathan Knight Two-way contract
(August 6, 2021)		 Atlanta Hawks
McKinley Wright IV Colorado

References
  1. "NBA announces schedule for 75th Anniversary Season". National Basketball Association. August 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  2. "Gersson Rosas Fired as T-Wolves President of Basketball Ops; Sachin Gupta Promoted". Bleacher Report. September 22, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. Kulkarni, Divij. "The Minnesota Timberwolves Clinch Their 2nd Winning Season Since 2005, They Have The Best Record Since The All-Star Break". Fadeaway World. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  4. "Timberwolves Clinch Trip to the Playoffs". www.nba.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  5. "Grizzlies beat T-Wolves to clinch 1st playoff series win in 7 years". theScore.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  6. "2020–21 NBA Standings". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  7. "2021 NBA draft order: Complete picks for the first and second round". ESPN. June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  8. "Cavaliers Acquire Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves". NBA.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. "Grizzlies acquire Jarrett Culver and Juancho Hernangomez from Timberwolves". NBA.com. August 25, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
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