The 2003-04 Minnesota Timberwolves enjoyed a landmark season, marking their most successful NBA campaign to date. Led by Kevin Garnett, who secured the NBA MVP award, the team finished with a franchise-best 58-24 record, clinching the top seed in the Western Conference. Key offseason acquisitions, including Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, provided crucial support, forming a formidable trio with Garnett.
In the playoffs, the Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round and overcame the Sacramento Kings in a thrilling seven-game series in the Western Conference Semifinals. However, their journey ended in the Conference Finals, where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in a hard-fought six-game series. Despite the playoff exit, the season remains a high point in Timberwolves history, showcasing the team’s potential and Garnett’s peak performance.
- Regular Season Record: 58-24
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Western Conference Finals: 2-4
Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats for 2003-04 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kevin Garnett | 82 | 24.2 | 13.9 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 25.6 | 18 | 24.3 | 14.6 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 31.3 |
| Sam Cassell | 81 | 19.8 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 39.8 | 16 | 16.6 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 41.7 |
| Latrell Sprewell | 82 | 16.8 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 33.1 | 18 | 19.8 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 38.5 |
| Wally Szczerbiak | 28 | 10.2 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 43.5 | 12 | 11.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 34.5 |
| Troy Hudson | 29 | 7.5 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 40.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Fred Hoiberg | 79 | 6.7 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 44.2 | 18 | 6.4 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 45.8 |
| Michael Olowokandi | 43 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 15 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Gary Trent | 68 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 13 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Trenton Hassell | 81 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 30.8 | 18 | 7.7 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 50.0 |
| Mark Madsen | 72 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 17 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Darrick Martin | 16 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 23.1 | 16 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 30.0 |
| Keith McLeod | 33 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Goldwire | 5 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Oliver Miller | 48 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Ervin Johnson | 66 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 18 | 2.7 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Quincy Lewis | 14 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 40.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ndudi Ebi | 17 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2004 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by MVP Kevin Garnett, faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Timberwolves won the series 4-1, showcasing Garnett's dominant performance alongside key contributions from Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, propelling Minnesota to its first playoff series victory in franchise history. This triumph set the stage for an exciting postseason run for the Timberwolves.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 106-92 | |
| Apr 21, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 95-81 | |
| Apr 24, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 107-86 | |
| Apr 27, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 84-82 | |
| Apr 30, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 102-91 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Sacramento Kings
In the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the second round for the first time in franchise history, facing the Sacramento Kings. Led by MVP Kevin Garnett, the Wolves showcased resilience and skill, ultimately winning the hard-fought series in seven games. Garnett's standout performance, particularly in Game 7, solidified his status as one of the league's elite players and propelled Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 104-98 | |
| May 08, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 94-89 | |
| May 10, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 114-113 | |
| May 12, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 87-81 | |
| May 14, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 86-74 | |
| May 16, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 104-87 | |
| May 19, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 83-80 |
2004 Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves made their first and only appearance in the Western Conference Finals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs, led by MVP Kevin Garnett. Despite Garnett's stellar performances, the Timberwolves fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, as the Lakers' star-studded lineup of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton proved too formidable. This playoff run remains the high-water mark in Timberwolves' franchise history, highlighting a peak period for the team.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 97-88 | |
| May 23, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 89-71 | |
| May 25, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-89 | |
| May 27, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 92-85 | |
| May 29, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 98-96 | |
| May 31, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 96-90 |
Minnesota Timberwolves 2003-04 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2003-04 season for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2003 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-89 | |
| Oct 31, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 84-61 | |
| Nov 01, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 73-56 | |
| Nov 03, 2003 | @ Utah Jazz | L 93-88 | |
| Nov 05, 2003 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 125-121 | |
| Nov 07, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | W 100-71 | |
| Nov 08, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | W 88-79 | |
| Nov 11, 2003 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 89-87 | |
| Nov 13, 2003 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 92-89 | |
| Nov 14, 2003 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 85-77 | |
| Nov 18, 2003 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 89-76 | |
| Nov 21, 2003 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 97-83 | |
| Nov 22, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 103-91 | |
| Nov 25, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 98-75 | |
| Nov 26, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | L 97-92 | |
| Nov 28, 2003 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 102-98 | |
| Nov 29, 2003 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 92-88 | |
| Dec 03, 2003 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 92-79 | |
| Dec 05, 2003 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 112-109 | |
| Dec 07, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 96-94 | |
| Dec 09, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 98-95 | |
| Dec 12, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | W 110-91 | |
| Dec 15, 2003 | @ Boston Celtics | W 116-95 | |
| Dec 16, 2003 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 92-75 | |
| Dec 18, 2003 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 114-109 | |
| Dec 20, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-80 | |
| Dec 23, 2003 | @ New York Knicks | W 98-92 | |
| Dec 26, 2003 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 101-92 | |
| Dec 27, 2003 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 104-86 | |
| Dec 30, 2003 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 98-93 | |
| Jan 02, 2004 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 93-75 | |
| Jan 03, 2004 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 119-112 | |
| Jan 06, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 106-90 | |
| Jan 08, 2004 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 96-75 | |
| Jan 10, 2004 | vs. Miami Heat | W 83-77 | |
| Jan 13, 2004 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 94-89 | |
| Jan 14, 2004 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 100-93 | |
| Jan 17, 2004 | @ Houston Rockets | L 95-76 | |
| Jan 19, 2004 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 97-90 | |
| Jan 21, 2004 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 108-97 | |
| Jan 23, 2004 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 80-79 | |
| Jan 25, 2004 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 99-95 | |
| Jan 26, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 97-95 | |
| Jan 28, 2004 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 97-90 | |
| Jan 30, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 97-84 | |
| Feb 01, 2004 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 03, 2004 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 113-100 | |
| Feb 04, 2004 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 97-89 | |
| Feb 06, 2004 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-92 | |
| Feb 08, 2004 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 99-98 | |
| Feb 10, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 96-84 | |
| Feb 11, 2004 | @ Utah Jazz | W 77-66 | |
| Feb 17, 2004 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 110-95 | |
| Feb 19, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 92-75 | |
| Feb 20, 2004 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 88-87 | |
| Feb 22, 2004 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 94-92 | |
| Feb 24, 2004 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 108-102 | |
| Feb 25, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 81-68 | |
| Feb 27, 2004 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 91-81 | |
| Feb 29, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 81-74 | |
| Mar 03, 2004 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 121-97 | |
| Mar 05, 2004 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 112-109 | |
| Mar 07, 2004 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 80-77 | |
| Mar 09, 2004 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-92 | |
| Mar 10, 2004 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 92-79 | |
| Mar 12, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 96-86 | |
| Mar 14, 2004 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 92-83 | |
| Mar 18, 2004 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 106-86 | |
| Mar 19, 2004 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 93-80 | |
| Mar 21, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 98-77 | |
| Mar 23, 2004 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 86-81 | |
| Mar 24, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 101-92 | |
| Mar 26, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 90-73 | |
| Mar 27, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 98-82 | |
| Mar 29, 2004 | @ Houston Rockets | W 94-88 | |
| Mar 31, 2004 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 90-83 | |
| Apr 02, 2004 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 91-73 | |
| Apr 04, 2004 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 90-82 | |
| Apr 08, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 94-86 | |
| Apr 09, 2004 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 92-74 | |
| Apr 12, 2004 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 104-90 | |
| Apr 14, 2004 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 107-90 |