In classy fashion, the Timberwolves introduced him before the starting
lineups to allow the fans a chance to salute their departed hero.
"A special welcome to a player making his return to Target Center,"
public address announcer Rod Johnson said. "Number 21, from Farragut
Academy High School, Kevin Garrrr-nett!"
The packed house went crazy, many of them wearing Garnett’s No. 21
Wolves jersey and perhaps more sporting the No. 5 Celtics version.
Garnett grin sheepishly at first, waving bashfully to the crowd. The
cheers and chants kept coming, and the grin turned to a beaming smile
as he pounded his heart with his right fist.
As Garnett turned to walk back to the dressing room, “Thanks for the
memories, KG” was flashed on the scoreboard along with a photo of him
hoisting the 2003-04 MVP trophy. The announcer said, “One more time for
KG,” but the crowd hadn’t stopped its initial ovation.
memories, KG” was flashed on the scoreboard along with a photo of him
hoisting the 2003-04 MVP trophy. The announcer said, “One more time for
KG,” but the crowd hadn’t stopped its initial ovation.
After 90 seconds of applause from the sellout crowd,
dotted with plenty of fans wearing Garnett’s No. 5 Celtics jersey, the
former Timberwolves franchise player left the court, disappearing
through the tunnel, sidelined by an abdominal injury.
dotted with plenty of fans wearing Garnett’s No. 5 Celtics jersey, the
former Timberwolves franchise player left the court, disappearing
through the tunnel, sidelined by an abdominal injury.
Garnett did not speak with reporters at any point during his return trip to the Twin Cities.
AFter getting his due, Garnett disappeared back down the tunnel and
watched the game from the visitors’ dressing room, where he always
watches when he is not healthy enough to play.
Wolves record: 10-38
Stephen Litel/Hoopsworld game report
FLCeltsFan/Loy’s Place on tonight’s game
Celtics Blog’s postgame podcast
The Timberwolves had the ball with the score tied 86-86 with 28 seconds left. Marko Jaric missed a 3-pointer and teammate Craig Smith rebounded the ball and tried to kick it back out.
But Ray Allen stepped in front and stole the pass and raced the other way with the clock ticking down. A frantic scramble under the basket ended with Powe putting back a miss just before the buzzer sounded.
Afterward, Smith said he tried to save the ball, and the game, on instinct and called the loss "pretty much my fault."
The game officials consulted video replay to ensure the ball passed
through the hoop with fractions of a second still left on the clock.
Rookie Corey Brewer flew around the court and played
aggressive defense in the fourth quarter. And Jefferson did in the
fourth quarter what his counterpart in the trade, Garnett, so often
could not: – deliver clutch baskets with the game on the line.
aggressive defense in the fourth quarter. And Jefferson did in the
fourth quarter what his counterpart in the trade, Garnett, so often
could not: – deliver clutch baskets with the game on the line.
Jefferson struggled most of the game but came alive
down the stretch with his team trailing. He scored 10 of his 18 points
in the fourth quarter, hitting 5 of 6 field-goal attempts.
down the stretch with his team trailing. He scored 10 of his 18 points
in the fourth quarter, hitting 5 of 6 field-goal attempts.
If Minnesota’s 87-86 loss at Boston two weeks ago was a punch in the
kidney, this one qualifies as a straight shot to the face. Sure, the
Wolves again showed enough promise to suggest a future filled with
hope, but the only feeling each player, coach and fan could muster
after this heartbreaker was pain.
kidney, this one qualifies as a straight shot to the face. Sure, the
Wolves again showed enough promise to suggest a future filled with
hope, but the only feeling each player, coach and fan could muster
after this heartbreaker was pain.
Jefferson wasn’t so much amazed as he was disturbed after going for 18 points and nine rebounds.
“It hurt a lot,” he said. “I’m in a real bad mood right now.”
Added Ryan Gomes, who had 11 of his 13 points in the third quarter: “It hurts. One possession both times. We’re right there and we didn’t get it done again. The object is to win the game, no matter how good the effort.”
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