Timberwolves end 14-year playoff drought with OT win over Nuggets
The longest postseason drought in the NBA is officially over.
The Minnesota Timberwolves punched their ticket to the playoffs on Wednesday by defeating the Denver Nuggets 112-106 in overtime in a winner-take-all matchup at the Target Center.
WE BACK.
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 12, 2018
PLAYOFFS. #AllEyesNorth pic.twitter.com/2yY2uVRgTW
The victory seals the franchise's first playoff berth since 2004, when they advanced all the way to the Western Conference finals before losing in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Sacramento Kings' 12-year drought (2006) is now the longest active in the Association.
In just his third game back in the starting lineup after returning from right knee surgery, All-Star wing Jimmy Butler led Minnesota with 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block on 10-of-21 shooting in 42 minutes of action.
Knowing what was at stake, Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau rode his starters for the majority of the contest, with Jeff Teague (17 points in 43 minutes), Karl-Anthony Towns (26 points and 14 rebounds in 47 minutes), and Andrew Wiggins (18 points in 42 minutes) all receiving significant playing time.
The victory clinches the eighth seed in the West for Minnesota, matching them up with James Harden, Chris Paul, and the Houston Rockets in the opening round.