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2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 14th season the Timberwolves has competed in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Timberwolves signed free agents Troy Hudson and Kendall Gill.[2][3][4] Kevin Garnett performed well throughout the season, winning the All-Star MVP award in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta,[5][6][7][8] and finishing second in MVP voting behind MVP Tim Duncan with 43 first-place votes,[9][10] plus also finishing in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[11][12] Despite losing both Terrell Brandon and Felipe Lopez for the entire season to knee injuries,[13][14] the Timberwolves posted a 12–1 record in February, held a 29–20 record at the All-Star break,[15] and finished the season with a 51–31 record, good enough to earn the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home court advantage for the playoffs.[16]

Garnett averaged 23.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Wally Szczerbiak averaged 17.6 points per game, while Hudson provided the team with 14.2 points and 5.7 assists per game, Rasho Nesterovic provided with 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Joe Smith contributed 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.[17]

However, for the seventh straight year in the Garnett era, the Timberwolves did not make it out of the first round of the playoffs, as they lost to the 5th-seeded and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the Western Conference First Round.[18][19][20] Following the season, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks,[21][22] while Anthony Peeler signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings,[23] Gill signed with the Chicago Bulls,[24] and Brandon was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.[25]

Draft picks

Roster

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

Player statistics

Ragular season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 2002-03 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ "Report: Wolves Sign G Troy Hudson". United Press International. August 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "Timberwolves Sign Kendall Gill". United Press International. September 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "WESTERN CONFERENCE: Team-by-Team Preview". The New York Times. October 28, 2002. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 9, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Wyche, Steve (February 10, 2003). "Passing the Torch". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  9. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Duncan Is M.V.P. Once Again". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Teaford, Elliott (May 4, 2003). "Duncan to Win Second MVP in a Row". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Timberwolves' Hudson Hurts Ankle". Midland Daily News. January 12, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Heisler, Mark (April 28, 2003). "He's Guy Bringing Dread to the Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  16. ^ "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Wise, Mike (May 2, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Looking Like Champs, Lakers Advance". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  19. ^ Brown, Tim (May 2, 2003). "Lakers Earn Their Spurs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  20. ^ Neiman, David (May 2, 2003). "Lakers Finish Timberwolves to Advance to West Semis". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Broussard, Chris (June 28, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; In Fallout from Draft, Bucks Trade Cassell". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "Bucks Send Cassell to Minnesota". United Press International. June 27, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Kings Ink Anthony Peeler". United Press International. August 15, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  24. ^ Johnson, K.C. (October 28, 2003). "Kendall Gill's 'Pizza' Diet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. July 24, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

See also