Kevin Garnett to receive the highest honor: The Timberwolves will retire his iconic number 21
The history of the Minnesota Timberwolves will experience a historic moment this coming February 28th. The franchise has officially announced that it will retire the number 21, the jersey number immortalized by the legendary power forward Kevin Garnett. The tribute will take place in a special ceremony during the game against the Boston Celtics, a team where the player also left an indelible mark.
At 50 years old, Garnett, who is already part of the Basketball Hall of Fame, will become just the second player to receive this distinguished recognition from the Timberwolves, joining Malik Sealy on the select list of team legends.
An unparalleled legacy in Minnesota
During his initial 12 seasons in Minnesota, Garnett was the absolute pillar of the team, guiding them to eight consecutive postseason appearances between 1997 and 2004. His statistical dominance is indisputable, leading the franchise’s historical records in key categories:
- Points scored
- Rebounds captured
- Assists distributed
- Steals made
- Blocks performed
In addition to his records, Garnett holds the pride of being the only player in Timberwolves history to have been awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, a distinction he achieved in the memorable 2003-04 campaign.
The retirement of number 21 represents the ultimate recognition of what Kevin Garnett means to our organization and to all the fans who watched him grow and become a legend.
Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A career marked by greatness
After his departure from Minnesota in 2007, Garnett embarked on a new chapter with the Boston Celtics, where he managed to win the NBA championship in 2008. It is worth remembering that the Celtics already retired his number 5 in 2022, reaffirming his status as an icon in the league.
The ceremony in February will be the centerpiece of a series of activities planned by the Timberwolves’ front office to celebrate not only Garnett’s sports career, but also his profound impact on the state of Minnesota and on several generations of fans who were inspired by his intensity and leadership on the court.
