2017–18 Minnesota Timberwolves season
The 2017–18 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 29th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
| 2017–18 Minnesota Timberwolves season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tom Thibodeau |
| General manager | Scott Layden |
| Owners | Glen Taylor |
| Arena | Target Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 47–35 (.573) |
| Place | Division: 4th (Northwest) Conference: 8th (Western) |
| Playoff finish |
|
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | Fox Sports North |
| Radio | WCCO |
They clinched their first winning season since 2004 with a win over the New York Knicks on March 23, 2018. On April 11, 2018, the Timberwolves clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2004 with a win over the Denver Nuggets, ending what was the longest post-season drought in the NBA at the time, at 13 seasons to pass the Sacramento Kings to currently make the longest postseason NBA drought. The last time the Wolves made the playoffs was during the Kevin Garnett era where he led them to the conference finals that year. The Wolves this season also signed free agent Derrick Rose, after he considered joining teams such as the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Wizards. The signing reunited Rose with former Chicago Bulls teammates Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, as well as coach Tom Thibodeau, all of whom were part of the franchise from 2011 to 2015. These acquisitions would earn the team the nickname “TimberBulls” from the media and fans.
They finished the regular season with a 47–35 record, which clinched the 8th seed. In the playoffs, the Timberwolves faced the top-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round, and lost in five games.
Until 2022, this was the last season that the Timberwolves made the playoffs or had a winning season.