Head coach Flip Saunders Arena Target Center | Owner(s) Glen Taylor Record 50–32 (.610) | |
Place Division: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 5th (Western) Playoff finish West First Round
(eliminated 0-3) | ||
The 2001-02 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 13th season in the NBA. A year after they were slapped by the NBA, the Timberwolves were able to re-sign Joe Smith, who played with the Detroit Pistons last season. However, Terrell Brandon sustained an injury after 28 games and was out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett continued to establish himself as one of the top players in the NBA averaging 21.2 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, as the Timberwolves finished third in the Midwest Division with a 50–32 record. Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak were both selected to play in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, the Timberwolves were swept by the Dallas Mavericks in three straight games. Following the season, Chauncey Billups signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, and Sam Mitchell retired.
Contents
West First Round
(4) Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Minnesota Timberwolves Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Mavericks and Timberwolves.
Dirk Nowitzki was virtually unstoppable in this series, averaging around 33 points and 16 rebounds per game.