The 2000-01 Minnesota Timberwolves finished the NBA regular season with a 47-35 record, placing them fourth in the Midwest Division. Star forward Kevin Garnett led the team, averaging 22.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, earning him an All-NBA Second Team spot and an All-Star appearance.
Despite a solid regular season, the Timberwolves faced challenges in the playoffs. They were matched against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Minnesota struggled to contain the Spurs’ dynamic duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, ultimately losing the series 3-1. This marked the fifth consecutive year the Timberwolves exited in the first round of the playoffs.
Off the court, the franchise dealt with a setback when Joe Smith’s contract was voided due to salary cap violations. This resulted in the loss of several future draft picks, impacting the team’s long-term plans. The 2000-01 season highlighted both the strengths and limitations of the Timberwolves during this period.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-3
Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats for 2000-01 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kevin Garnett | 81 | 22.0 | 11.4 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 28.8 | 4 | 21.0 | 12.0 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Terrell Brandon | 78 | 16.0 | 3.8 | 7.5 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 36.3 | 4 | 15.3 | 4.3 | 6.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 44.4 |
| Wally Szczerbiak | 82 | 14.0 | 5.5 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 33.8 | 4 | 14.0 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Peeler | 75 | 10.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 39.1 | 4 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 35.3 |
| LaPhonso Ellis | 82 | 9.4 | 6.0 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 31.8 | 4 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Chauncey Billups | 77 | 9.3 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 37.6 | 3 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Felipe López | 23 | 7.4 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 56.5 | 4 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| Reggie Slater | 55 | 4.6 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Rasho Nesterović | 73 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 4 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Todd Day | 31 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 37.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Sam Mitchell | 82 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 20.9 | 4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| William Avery | 55 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 27.1 | 2 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 50.0 |
| Dean Garrett | 70 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Sam Jacobson | 14 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Hammonds | 7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2001 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced a tough challenge in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite Kevin Garnett's standout performances, the Timberwolves struggled to contain the Spurs' dynamic duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, ultimately losing the series 3-1. This marked the fifth consecutive first-round exit for Minnesota, highlighting their ongoing playoff struggles during that era.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 87-82 | |
| Apr 23, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 86-69 | |
| Apr 28, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 93-84 | |
| Apr 30, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 97-84 |
Minnesota Timberwolves 2000-01 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2000-01 season for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2000 | @ Houston Rockets | W 106-98 | |
| Nov 02, 2000 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 103-91 | |
| Nov 04, 2000 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 99-91 | |
| Nov 06, 2000 | @ Utah Jazz | L 98-92 | |
| Nov 08, 2000 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 109-107 | |
| Nov 09, 2000 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 84-82 | |
| Nov 11, 2000 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-92 | |
| Nov 15, 2000 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 92-90 | |
| Nov 17, 2000 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 99-94 | |
| Nov 18, 2000 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 94-84 | |
| Nov 22, 2000 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 101-100 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-108 | |
| Nov 25, 2000 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 114-93 | |
| Nov 28, 2000 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 96-76 | |
| Nov 29, 2000 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 107-100 | |
| Dec 01, 2000 | @ Boston Celtics | W 102-98 | |
| Dec 02, 2000 | @ New York Knicks | L 100-90 | |
| Dec 05, 2000 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 100-90 | |
| Dec 07, 2000 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 105-88 | |
| Dec 09, 2000 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 85-73 | |
| Dec 11, 2000 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-91 | |
| Dec 12, 2000 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 116-94 | |
| Dec 15, 2000 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-90 | |
| Dec 16, 2000 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 113-110 | |
| Dec 19, 2000 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 120-99 | |
| Dec 20, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 103-96 | |
| Dec 22, 2000 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 83-74 | |
| Dec 23, 2000 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 98-92 | |
| Dec 26, 2000 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 100-97 | |
| Dec 28, 2000 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 88-81 | |
| Dec 30, 2000 | vs. New York Knicks | L 88-79 | |
| Jan 01, 2001 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 106-96 | |
| Jan 02, 2001 | @ Washington Wizards | L 115-108 | |
| Jan 04, 2001 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-92 | |
| Jan 07, 2001 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 108-88 | |
| Jan 08, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 100-97 | |
| Jan 10, 2001 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 106-86 | |
| Jan 12, 2001 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 95-89 | |
| Jan 15, 2001 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 107-102 | |
| Jan 17, 2001 | @ Utah Jazz | W 89-81 | |
| Jan 19, 2001 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-93 | |
| Jan 21, 2001 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 96-94 | |
| Jan 23, 2001 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 82-73 | |
| Jan 25, 2001 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 109-100 | |
| Jan 27, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 93-80 | |
| Jan 29, 2001 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 99-96 | |
| Jan 31, 2001 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 96-83 | |
| Feb 01, 2001 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 90-81 | |
| Feb 03, 2001 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 108-105 | |
| Feb 07, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 117-88 | |
| Feb 13, 2001 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-88 | |
| Feb 14, 2001 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 104-96 | |
| Feb 16, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 91-85 | |
| Feb 18, 2001 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | L 110-102 | |
| Feb 21, 2001 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 89-83 | |
| Feb 23, 2001 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 122-83 | |
| Feb 25, 2001 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-100 | |
| Feb 28, 2001 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 111-100 | |
| Mar 02, 2001 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 89-71 | |
| Mar 04, 2001 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-111 | |
| Mar 06, 2001 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 95-89 | |
| Mar 09, 2001 | @ Miami Heat | L 86-79 | |
| Mar 10, 2001 | @ Orlando Magic | L 105-93 | |
| Mar 12, 2001 | vs. Miami Heat | W 94-77 | |
| Mar 14, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 106-100 | |
| Mar 15, 2001 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 103-83 | |
| Mar 18, 2001 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 91-76 | |
| Mar 21, 2001 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 109-97 | |
| Mar 23, 2001 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 101-90 | |
| Mar 25, 2001 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 105-91 | |
| Mar 28, 2001 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 94-93 | |
| Mar 30, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 110-98 | |
| Apr 01, 2001 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-95 | |
| Apr 04, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 83-79 | |
| Apr 06, 2001 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 101-88 | |
| Apr 08, 2001 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-99 | |
| Apr 10, 2001 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 104-91 | |
| Apr 12, 2001 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 119-102 | |
| Apr 13, 2001 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 111-105 | |
| Apr 15, 2001 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 107-100 | |
| Apr 17, 2001 | @ Houston Rockets | L 114-87 | |
| Apr 18, 2001 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-100 |