Head coach Flip Saunders Arena Target Center | Owner(s) Glen Taylor Record 45–37 (.549) | |
Place Division: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 7th (Western) Playoff finish West First Round
(eliminated 2-3) | ||
The 1997–98 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 9th season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Timberwolves acquired Stanley Roberts from the Los Angeles Clippers and signed free agent Tom Hammonds. Kevin Garnett and second-year star Stephon Marbury continued to establish themselves as two of the brightest stars in the NBA, as Garnett averaged 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds per game and was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. Marbury averaged 17.7 points and 8.6 assists per game. At midseason, the Timberwolves traded Doug West to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Anthony Peeler.
Despite losing Tom Gugliotta for the rest of the season due to injuries after 41 games, the Timberwolves won seven of their final eight games posting their first winning record at 45–37. Third in the Midwest Division making their second consecutive playoff appearance. In the first round of the playoffs, the Timberwolves took a 2–1 series lead over the 2nd-seeded Seattle SuperSonics, but went on to lose the series in five games. Following the season, Terry Porter signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, Roberts signed with the Houston Rockets, Cherokee Parks signed with the Vancouver Grizzlies, and Michael Williams was released.
West First Round
(2) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (7) Minnesota Timberwolves Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the SuperSonics and Timberwolves.