2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 14th season the Timberwolves has competed in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Timberwolves signed free agents Troy Hudson and Kendall Gill. Kevin Garnett performed well throughout the season, winning the All-Star MVP award in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta,   and finishing second in MVP voting behind MVP Tim Duncan with 43 first-place votes,  plus also finishing in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Despite losing both Terrell Brandon and Felipe Lopez for the entire season to knee injuries, the Timberwolves posted a 12–1 record in February, held a 29–20 record at the All-Star break, 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.

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.

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. Following the season, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, while Anthony Peeler signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings, Gill signed with the Chicago Bulls, and Brandon was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

Roster Notes

 * Point guard Terrell Brandon missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
 * Shooting guard Felipe Lopez missed the entire season due to a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.

Season standings

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

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 20
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 98–117
 * Kevin Garnett (23)
 * Kevin Garnett (14)
 * Kevin Garnett (7)
 * Target Center 17,097
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 22
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 119–91
 * Troy Hudson (37)
 * Kevin Garnett (20)
 * Troy Hudson (10)
 * Target Center 17,132
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 24
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * W 114–110 (OT)
 * Kevin Garnett (33)
 * Kevin Garnett (14)
 * Rod Strickland (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * April 27
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 97–102
 * Garnett, Hudson (28)
 * Kevin Garnett (18)
 * Kevin Garnett (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * April 29
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 90–120
 * Kevin Garnett (25)
 * Kevin Garnett (16)
 * Troy Hudson (7)
 * Target Center 20,098
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * May 1
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 85–101
 * Garnett, Hudson (18)
 * Kevin Garnett (12)
 * Garnett, Szczerbiak (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–4

Awards and records

 * Kevin Garnett, All-NBA First Team
 * Kevin Garnett, NBA All-Defensive First Team
 * Kevin Garnett, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award