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What's the Furthest the Minnesota Timberwolves Have Ever Gone in the NBA Playoffs? (Updated for 2025)

The Timberwolves are aiming to once again reach the Western Conference finals.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are aiming to once again advance to the Western Conference finals.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are aiming to once again advance to the Western Conference finals. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves and young star Anthony Edwards are once again trying to accomplish something that's never been done in franchise history - win an NBA title.

Edwards and the Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference finals last season for just the second time in franchise history, and they're looking to do it again.

Here's everything you need to know about Minnesota's past playoff success.

Have the Timberwolves Ever Won an NBA Championship?

The Timberwolves have never won an NBA title. In fact, they're one of 10 NBA teams who have never captured the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The other nine are the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz.

What Is the Furthest the Timberwolves Have Gone in the NBA Playoffs?

Last season marked the second conference finals appearance in franchise history for the Timberwolves since their inception in 1989.

Minnesota's only other conference finals appearance came in the 2003-04 season, which was a 4-2 series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Detroit Pistons went on to beat the Lakers in the NBA finals that season.

Minnesota Timberwolves Full Playoff History

Here's a full history of the Timberwolves' playoff appearances, including the franchise's performances by round. While the franchise has never made the NBA finals, in a weird quirk, it has also never lost in the Western Conference semifinals.

Playoff Result

Times Occurred

Last Year Occurred

Missed Postseason

23

2020-21

Play-in Tournament

1

2022-23

Lost in First Round

10

2022-23

Lost in Western Conf. Semifinals

0

Never lost in Western Conf. Semifinals

Lost in Western Conf. Finals

2

2023-24

Finals Appearance

0

Never participated

Can the Timberwolves Win a Championship This Year?

Minnesota can win an NBA title this year, but it will a tall task to come out of the Western Conference, where the Timberwolves need to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the West semifinals before potentially facing the league's best team - the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the conference finals.

Minnesota boasts former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as the defensive anchor to go along with an array of long wing defenders, Former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, new addition Julius Randle, and of course, Anthony Edwards, the engine that makes the Timberwolves go.


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Mike McDaniel
MICHAEL MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.

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