2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season

2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachFlip Saunders
General managerKevin McHale
OwnerGlen Taylor
ArenaTarget Center
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Lakers 2–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
RadioWFAN

The 2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 14th season for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Timberwolves signed free agents Troy Hudson, Kendall Gill and Rod Strickland.[2][3][4] However, prior to the start of the regular season, the team lost both Terrell Brandon, and Felipe López for the entire season due to knee injuries.[5][6]

With the addition of Hudson, Gill and Strickland, and despite the loss of Brandon and López, the Timberwolves played around .500 in winning percentage with a 9–8 record in November. The team posted two six-game winning streaks in January and February, while posting a 12–1 record in February, and holding a 29–20 record at the All-Star break.[7] The Timberwolves posted a seven-game winning streak between February and March, and finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 51–31 record, earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference;[8] the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.[1]

Kevin 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 to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Wally Szczerbiak averaged 17.6 points per game, but only played 52 games due to injury, 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 Gill contributed 8.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Anthony Peeler contributed 7.7 points per game, Joe Smith averaged 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, Strickland provided with 6.8 points and 4.6 assists per game, and Gary Trent contributed 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.[9]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Garnett was selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team.[10][11][12] Garnett scored 37 points along with 9 rebounds and 5 steals, and was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference in double-overtime, 155–145.[13][14] Garnett finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs with 43 first-place votes,[15][16] and also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting;[17][16] Hudson finished in ninth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Garnett finished tied in 21st place, and Nesterovic finished tied in 26th place,[16] and head coach Flip Saunders finished in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting.[16]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 2003 NBA playoffs, the Timberwolves faced off against the 5th–seeded, and 3-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal, and Derek Fisher. The Timberwolves lost Game 1 to the Lakers at home, 117–98 at the Target Center, but managed to win the next two games, which included a Game 3 road win over the Lakers at the Staples Center in overtime, 114–110 to take a 2–1 series lead. However, the Timberwolves lost the next three games, including a Game 6 loss to the Lakers at the Staples Center, 101–85, thus losing the series in six games; it was the seventh consecutive year that the Timberwolves lost in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.[18][19][20]

The Timberwolves finished 18th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 643,684 at the Target Center during the regular season.[9][21] Following the season, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks,[22][23] while Peeler signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings,[24] Gill signed with the Chicago Bulls,[25] Brandon was traded to the Atlanta Hawks,[26] and Strickland was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
129Forfeited pick
252Marcus TaylorPG United StatesMichigan State

Roster

2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Terrell Brandon (IN) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon
F 21 Kevin Garnett 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy (IL)
G 9 Kendall Gill 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–05–25 Illinois
G 16 Troy Hudson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1976–03–13 Southern Illinois
C 25 Marc Jackson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1975–01–16 Temple
G 13 Felipe López (IN) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1974–12–19 St. John's
C 8 Rasho Nesterović 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1976–05–30 Slovenia
G 44 Anthony Peeler 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1969–11–25 Missouri
G 36 Igor Rakocevic 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1978–03–29 Serbia
F 32 Joe Smith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1975–07–26 Maryland
G 1 Rod Strickland 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
F 10 Wally Szczerbiak 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1977–03–05 Miami (OH)
F 20 Gary Trent 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1974–09–22 Ohio
G 29 Mike Wilks 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1979–05–07 Rice
C 3 Loren Woods 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1978–06–21 Arizona
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: February 12, 2003

Roster notes

  • Point guard Terrell Brandon was on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, and missed the entire regular season.
  • Shooting guard Felipe Lopez was on the injured reserve list due to a torn ACL, and MCL in his left knee, and missed the entire regular season.

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 6022.732–33–827–1417–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 6022.732–33–827–1418–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 5131.622933–818–2315–9
x-Utah Jazz 4735.5731329–1218–2315–9
e-Houston Rockets 4339.5241728–1315–2611–13
e-Memphis Grizzlies 2854.3413220–218–335–17
e-Denver Nuggets 1765.2074313–284–373–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs6022.732–
2 y-Sacramento Kings5923.7201
3 x-Dallas Mavericks6022.732–
4 x-Minnesota Timberwolves5131.6229
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers5032.61010
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers5032.61010
7 x-Utah Jazz4735.57313
8 x-Phoenix Suns4438.53716
9 e-Houston Rockets4339.52417
10 e-Seattle SuperSonics4042.48820
11 e-Golden State Warriors3844.46322
12 e-Memphis Grizzlies2854.34132
13 e-Los Angeles Clippers2755.32933
14 e-Denver Nuggets1765.20743
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Playoffs

2003 playoff game log
First round: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 20 L.A. Lakers L 98–117 Kevin Garnett (23) Kevin Garnett (14) Kevin Garnett (7) Target Center
17,097		 0–1
2 April 22 L.A. Lakers W 119–91 Troy Hudson (37) Kevin Garnett (20) Troy Hudson (10) Target Center
17,132		 1–1
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
4 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 97–102 Garnett, Hudson (28) Kevin Garnett (18) Kevin Garnett (5) Staples Center
18,997		 2–2
5 April 29 L.A. Lakers L 90–120 Kevin Garnett (25) Kevin Garnett (16) Troy Hudson (7) Target Center
20,098		 2–3
6 May 1 @ L.A. Lakers L 85–101 Garnett, Hudson (18) Kevin Garnett (12) Garnett, Szczerbiak (5) Staples Center
18,997		 2–4
2003 schedule

Player statistics

Regular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin GarnettPF 82823,3211,1024951131291,88340.513.46.01.41.623.0
Anthony PeelerSG 82392,245241244721363027.42.93.0.9.27.7
Kendall GillSG 82342,068248156781571425.23.01.91.0.28.7
Gary TrentSF 80221,22229177322347615.33.61.0.4.36.0
Troy HudsonPG 79742,6001834526071,12332.92.35.7.8.114.2
Rasho NesterovićC 77772,3375041143911686130.46.51.5.51.511.2
Marc JacksonC 7701,04122537243042113.52.9.5.3.45.5
Joe SmithSF 54211,11727038145540420.75.0.7.31.07.5
Wally SzczerbiakSF 52421,836241136442291335.34.62.6.8.417.6
Rod StricklandPG 4789569521546632020.32.04.61.0.16.8
Igor RakočevićPG 420244173340785.8.4.8.1.01.9
Loren WoodsC 381135395191013809.32.5.5.3.32.1
Mike Wilks†PG 31032430501136210.51.01.6.4.12.0
Reggie SlaterPF 26014131461815.41.2.2.2.03.1
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin GarnettPF 662659431101016244.215.75.21.71.727.0
Wally SzczerbiakSF 662523013618742.05.02.21.0.214.5
Troy HudsonPG 6622112338014136.82.05.51.3.023.5
Rasho NesterovićC 66169304144228.25.0.7.2.77.0
Anthony PeelerSG 651662118412927.73.53.0.7.24.8
Kendall GillSG 60118137413119.72.21.2.7.25.2
Marc JacksonC 60110338215018.35.51.3.3.28.3
Rod StricklandPG 6073617422812.21.02.8.7.34.7
Gary TrentSF 60427110147.01.2.2.2.02.3
Joe SmithSF 51406011148.01.2.0.2.22.8
Mike WilksPG 407000031.8.0.0.0.0.8
Loren WoodsC 202100021.0.5.0.0.01.0

Awards and records

References

  1. 1 2 "Minnesota Timberwolves". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Report: Wolves Sign G Troy Hudson". United Press International. August 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Timberwolves Sign Kendall Gill". United Press International. September 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ "WESTERN CONFERENCE: Team-by-Team Preview". The New York Times. October 28, 2002. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Timberwolves' Hudson Hurts Ankle". Midland Daily News. January 12, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ Heisler, Mark (April 28, 2003). "He's Guy Bringing Dread to the Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  7. ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  8. ↑ "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  9. 1 2 "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  10. ↑ Sheridan, Chris (February 9, 2003). "Something Old, Something New on Court at All-Star Game". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "2003 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 9, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ Wyche, Steve (February 10, 2003). "Passing the Torch". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ "PRO BASKETBALL; Duncan Is M.V.P. Once Again". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  18. ↑ Wise, Mike (May 2, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Looking Like Champs, Lakers Advance". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  19. ↑ Brown, Tim (May 2, 2003). "Lakers Earn Their Spurs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  20. ↑ "2003 NBA Western Conference First Round: Lakers vs. Timberwolves". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  21. ↑ "2002–03 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  22. ↑ Broussard, Chris (June 28, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; In Fallout from Draft, Bucks Trade Cassell". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Bucks Send Cassell to Minnesota". United Press International. June 27, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Kings Ink Anthony Peeler". United Press International. August 15, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  25. ↑ Johnson, K.C. (October 28, 2003). "Kendall Gill's 'Pizza' Diet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. July 24, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

See also

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