The Minnesota Timberwolves will officially retire Kevin Garnett’s number 21 jersey on February 28, following a game against the Boston Celtics, the team announced Friday. This ceremony marks a significant reconciliation between the franchise icon and the organization’s new ownership group, led by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, after years of estrangement under former owner Glen Taylor.
Closing a Rift in Minneapolis
Garnett had spent his first twelve seasons in Minnesota before being traded to Boston in 2007. But when his playing days ended in 2016, a disagreement with former owner Glen Taylor kept Garnett away from the organization. He had refused that his jersey be retired by Minnesota until he established a relationship of trust with the new owners, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who agreed to buy the team in 2021.
Things shifted when the new leadership stepped in. Garnett finally returned to the Target Center in April, during the last game of the 2025-2026 regular season, setting the stage for the permanent tribute.
« Le Minnesota, c’est chez moi. Ça n’a jamais changé. C’est ici que tout a commencé pour moi. Alors, voir le numéro 21 dans les hauteurs du Target Center et partager ce moment avec les partisans, ma famille, mes coéquipiers, mes entraîneurs et tous ceux qui ont fait partie de cette aventure, c’est inestimable », Garnett said in a team statement.
A Legacy Etched in Franchise History
Garnett is the leading scorer, passer, interceptor, and blocker in the history of the Timberwolves. He is the only NBA player to have dominated a franchise in these five categories.
During his tenure, he led Minnesota to eight consecutive playoff appearances between 1996-97 and 2003-04. That 2003-2004 campaign saw him earn the league’s Most Valuable Player award—the only player in the history of the Timberwolves to have won the title. That same group reached the Western Conference Finals, a height the franchise would not touch again until their deep playoff run in 2024.
| Milestone / Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Jersey Retirement Date | February 28 (vs. Boston Celtics) |
| Seasons with Minnesota | First 12 seasons |
| Individual Accolades | 2003-2004 NBA MVP, 8 playoff berths |
| Other Retired Numbers | No. 2 (Malik Sealy, honored after a fatal 2000 car accident) |
Connecting Past Icons to Modern Ambitions
The upcoming tribute forms the centerpiece of several themed nights dedicated to Garnett, beginning with a draft-night celebration on December 16 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics previously retired the number 5 worn by Garnett in March 2022.
The Timberwolves have only retired one other number in the history of the team: the number 2 of Malik Sealy, who was playing for Minnesota when he was killed in a car accident in May 2000.
