# 2016–17 Minnesota Timberwolves season

The 2016–17 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 28th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On April 20, 2016, the Timberwolves hired Tom Thibodeau as their new head coach. On September 23, 2016, Kevin Garnett would officially retire from the NBA, thus ending his 21-year career in the process. On April 11, 2017, the Timberwolves would unveil a new logo and new uniforms to enter the next season. They improved their 29–53 output from the previous season, but missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, tying the record for the longest playoff drought in NBA history.

## Draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 5 | Kris Dunn | PG | United States | Providence |

## Standings
### Division

| Northwest Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
| y – Utah Jazz | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | 29‍–‍12 | 22‍–‍19 | 8–8 | 82 |
| x – Oklahoma City Thunder | 47 | 35 | .573 | 4.0 | 28‍–‍13 | 19‍–‍22 | 10–6 | 82 |
| x – Portland Trail Blazers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 10.0 | 25‍–‍16 | 16‍–‍25 | 11–5 | 82 |
| Denver Nuggets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 11.0 | 22‍–‍19 | 18‍–‍23 | 6–10 | 82 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 31 | 51 | .378 | 20.0 | 20‍–‍21 | 11‍–‍30 | 5–11 | 82 |

### Conference

Western Conference :
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | z – Golden State Warriors * | 67 | 15 | .817 | – | 82 |
| 2 | y – San Antonio Spurs * | 61 | 21 | .744 | 6.0 | 82 |
| 3 | x – Houston Rockets | 55 | 27 | .671 | 12.0 | 82 |
| 4 | x – Los Angeles Clippers | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16.0 | 82 |
| 5 | y – Utah Jazz * | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16.0 | 82 |
| 6 | x – Oklahoma City Thunder | 47 | 35 | .573 | 20.0 | 82 |
| 7 | x – Memphis Grizzlies | 43 | 39 | .524 | 24.0 | 82 |
| 8 | x – Portland Trail Blazers | 41 | 41 | .500 | 26.0 | 82 |
| 9 | Denver Nuggets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 27.0 | 82 |
| 10 | New Orleans Pelicans | 34 | 48 | .415 | 33.0 | 82 |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 34.0 | 82 |
| 12 | Sacramento Kings | 32 | 50 | .390 | 35.0 | 82 |
| 13 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 31 | 51 | .378 | 36.0 | 82 |
| 14 | Los Angeles Lakers | 26 | 56 | .317 | 41.0 | 82 |
| 15 | Phoenix Suns | 24 | 58 | .293 | 43.0 | 82 |

## Game log
### Pre-season

2016 pre-season game log Total: 5–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 2–2) :
Pre-season: 5–2 (home: 3–0; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 8
@ Miami
109–100
Karl-Anthony Towns (20)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Kris Dunn (7)
American Airlines Arena 13,042
1–0
2
October 10
@ Charlotte
86–98
Zach LaVine (30)
Cole Aldrich (9)
Kris Dunn (3)
Spectrum Center 8,424
1–1
3
October 12
Denver
105–88
Muhammad, Towns, Wiggins (18)
Karl-Anthony Towns (8)
Ricky Rubio (8)
Pinnacle Bank Arena 7,153
2–1
4
October 15
@ Miami
101–96
Andrew Wiggins (23)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (6)
KFC Yum! Center 9,672
3–1
5
October 16
@ Oklahoma City
94–112
John Lucas III (18)
Aldrich, Bjelica, Hill (6)
Kris Dunn (6)
Chesapeake Energy Arena 10,489
3–2
6
October 19
Memphis
101–94
Karl-Anthony Towns (31)
Gorgui Dieng (11)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Target Center 9,594
4–2
7
October 21
Charlotte
109–74
Shabazz Muhammad (17)
Karl-Anthony Towns (9)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 9,708
5–2 :
2016–17 season schedule :

### Regular season

2016–17 game log Total: 31–51 (Home: 20–21; Road: 11–30) :
October: 0–2 (home: 0–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 26
@ Memphis
L 98–102
Andrew Wiggins (25)
Gorgui Dieng (14)
Ricky Rubio (8)
FedExForum 18,119
0–1
2
October 29
@ Sacramento
L 103–106
Andrew Wiggins (29)
Gorgui Dieng (13)
Ricky Rubio (5)
Golden 1 Center 17,608
0–2 :
November
: 5–11 (home: 3–6; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
3
November 1
Memphis
W 116–80
Zach LaVine (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Kris Dunn (6)
Target Center 14,774
1–2
4
November 3
Denver
L 99–102
Karl-Anthony Towns (32)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Kris Dunn (9)
Target Center 11,219
1–3
5
November 5
@ Oklahoma City
L 92–112
Karl-Anthony Towns (33)
Gorgui Dieng (8)
Tyus Jones (4)
Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203
1–4
6
November 8
@ Brooklyn
L 110–119
Andrew Wiggins (36)
Andrew Wiggins (8)
Tyus Jones (7)
Barclays Center 13,610
1–5
7
November 9
@ Orlando
W 123–107
Zach LaVine (37)
Towns, Dieng (11)
Gorgui Dieng (7)
Amway Center 17,102
2–5
8
November 12
L.A. Clippers
L 105–119
Karl-Anthony Towns (24)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 14,494
2–6
9
November 13
L.A. Lakers
W 125–99
Andrew Wiggins (47)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Target Center 14,432
3–6
10
November 15
Charlotte
L 108–115
Andrew Wiggins (29)
Gorgui Dieng (11)
Ricky Rubio (8)
Target Center 10,349
3–7
11
November 17
Philadelphia
W 110–86
Andrew Wiggins (35)
Dieng, Towns, Wiggins (10)
Ricky Rubio (5)
Target Center 16,866
4–7
12
November 19
@ Memphis
L 71–93
Zach LaVine (22)
Gorgui Dieng (11)
Ricky Rubio (7)
FedExForum 17,112
4–8
13
November 21
Boston
L 93–99
Karl-Anthony Towns (27)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (9)
Target Center 13,167
4–9
14
November 23
@ New Orleans
L 96–117
Zach LaVine (26)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Rubio, Dieng (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,555
4–10
15
November 25
@ Phoenix
W 98–85
Andrew Wiggins (25)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Rubio, Towns (4)
Talking Stick Resort Arena 16,728
5–10
16
November 26
@ Golden State
L 102–115
Zach LaVine (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (9)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Oracle Arena 19,596
5–11
17
November 28
Utah
L 103–112
Zach LaVine (28)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Zach LaVine (8)
Target Center 9,384
5–12
18
November 30
New York
L 104–106
Karl-Anthony Towns (47)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 13,987
5–13 :
December
: 6–9 (home: 3–5; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
19
December 2
@ New York
L 114–118
Zach LaVine (23)
Cole Aldrich (12)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Madison Square Garden 19,812
5–14
20
December 3
@ Charlotte
W 125–120 (OT)
Andrew Wiggins (29)
Karl-Anthony Towns (15)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Spectrum Center 16,982
6–14
21
December 6
San Antonio
L 91–105
Zach LaVine (25)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 12,585
6–15
22
December 8
@ Toronto
L 110–124
Zach LaVine (29)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Zach LaVine (6)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
6–16
23
December 9
Detroit
L 90–117
Andrew Wiggins (16)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 14,109
6–17
24
December 11
Golden State
L 108–116
Wiggins, Towns, LaVine (25)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (6)
Target Center 18,452
6−18
25
December 13
@ Chicago
W 99–94
Zach LaVine (24)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (10)
United Center 21,146
7–18
26
December 17
Houston
L 109–111 (OT)
Karl-Anthony Towns (41)
Karl-Anthony Towns (15)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Target Center 14,689
7–19
27
December 19
Phoenix
W 115–108
Karl-Anthony Towns (28)
Karl-Anthony Towns (15)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Target Center 12,008
8–19
28
December 21
@ Atlanta
W 92–84
Andrew Wiggins (19)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (8)
Philips Arena 17,578
9–19
29
December 23
Sacramento
L 105–109
Zach LaVine (40)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Ricky Rubio (8)
Target Center 13,288
9–20
30
December 25
@ Oklahoma City
L 100–112
Karl-Anthony Towns (26)
Karl-Anthony Towns (8)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203
9–21
31
December 26
Atlanta
W 104–90
Karl-Anthony Towns (22)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Target Center 15,617
10–21
32
December 28
@ Denver
L 103–105
Andrew Wiggins (25)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Pepsi Center 15,093
10–22
33
December 30
Milwaukee
W 116–99
Andrew Wiggins (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (16)
Ricky Rubio (9)
Target Center 17,779
11–22 :
January
: 8–7 (home: 6–3; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
34
January 1
Portland
L 89–95
Andrew Wiggins (24)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Towns, Rubio (6)
Target Center 15,804
11–23
35
January 3
@ Philadelphia
L 91–93
Zach LaVine (28)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Towns, Rubio (5)
Wells Fargo Center 17,124
11–24
36
January 6
@ Washington
L 105–112
Andrew Wiggins (41)
Gorgui Dieng (11)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Verizon Center 18,686
11–25
37
January 7
Utah
L 92–94
Zach LaVine (24)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Target Center 13,945
11–26
38
January 9
Dallas
W 101–92
Karl-Anthony Towns (34)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Ricky Rubio (15)
Target Center 9,625
12–26
39
January 11
Houston
W 119–105
Andrew Wiggins (28)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (17)
Target Center 9,625
13–26
40
January 13
Oklahoma City
W 96–86
Karl-Anthony Towns (29)
Karl-Anthony Towns (17)
Ricky Rubio (14)
Target Center 16,644
14–26
41
January 15
@ Dallas
L 87–98
Gorgui Dieng (21)
Karl-Anthony Towns (9)
Ricky Rubio (10)
American Airlines Center 19,655
14–27
42
January 17
@ San Antonio
L 114–122
Karl-Anthony Towns (27)
Karl-Anthony Towns (16)
Ricky Rubio (14)
AT&T Center 18,418
14–28
43
January 19
@ LA Clippers
W 104–101
Karl-Anthony Towns (37)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Karl-Anthony Towns (5)
Staples Center 19,060
15–28
44
January 22
Denver
W 111–108
Karl-Anthony Towns (32)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Kris Dunn (9)
Target Center 12,788
16–28
45
January 24
@ Phoenix
W 112–111
Andrew Wiggins (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Talking Stick Resort Arena 17,241
17–28
46
January 26
Indiana
L 103–109
Karl-Anthony Towns (23)
Karl-Anthony Towns (10)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Target Center 14,862
17–29
47
January 28
Brooklyn
W 129–109
Karl-Anthony Towns (37)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Kris Dunn (7)
Target Center 14,798
18–29
48
January 30
Orlando
W 111–105 (OT)
Andrew Wiggins (27)
Gorgui Dieng (14)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Target Center 11,124
19–29 :
February
: 5–7 (home: 3–4; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
49
February 1
@ Cleveland
L 97–125
Karl-Anthony Towns (26)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (14)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
19–30
50
February 3
@ Detroit
L 108–116
Karl-Anthony Towns (24)
Gorgui Dieng (12)
Ricky Rubio (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 16,934
19–31
51
February 4
Memphis
L 99–107
Karl-Anthony Towns (27)
Karl-Anthony Towns (16)
Rubio, Jones (6)
Target Center 15,081
19–32
52
February 6
Miami
L 111–113
Karl-Anthony Towns (35)
Karl-Anthony Towns (8)
Ricky Rubio (13)
Target Center 12,502
19–33
53
February 8
Toronto
W 112–109
Andrew Wiggins (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Target Center 13,832
20–33
54
February 10
New Orleans
L 106–122
Karl-Anthony Towns (36)
Dieng, Towns (8)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Target Center 16,093
20–34
55
February 12
Chicago
W 117–89
Andrew Wiggins (27)
Gorgui Dieng (13)
Ricky Rubio (11)
Target Center 19,356
21–34
56
February 14
Cleveland
L 108–116
Andrew Wiggins (41)
Gorgui Dieng (10)
Ricky Rubio (16)
Target Center 17,738
21–35
57
February 15
@ Denver
W 112–99
Andrew Wiggins (40)
Karl-Anthony Towns (19)
Rubio, Dunn (5)
Pepsi Center 13,924
22–35
58
February 24
Dallas
W 97–84
Andrew Wiggins (27)
Karl-Anthony Towns (18)
Ricky Rubio (14)
Target Center 15,948
23–35
59
February 25
@ Houston
L 130–142
Karl-Anthony Towns (37)
Karl-Anthony Towns (22)
Ricky Rubio (11)
Toyota Center 18,055
23–36
60
February 27
@ Sacramento
W 102–88
Karl-Anthony Towns (29)
Karl-Anthony Towns (17)
Ricky Rubio (11)
Golden 1 Center 17,608
24–36 :
March
: 6–8 (home: 4–1; road: 2–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
61
March 1
@ Utah
W 107–80
Karl-Anthony Towns (21)
Karl-Anthony Towns (15)
Ricky Rubio (9)
Vivint Smart Home Arena 19,590
25–36
62
March 4
@ San Antonio
L 90–97 (OT)
Karl-Anthony Towns (24)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (10)
AT&T Center 18,418
25–37
63
March 8
L. A. Clippers
W 107–91
Karl-Anthony Towns (29)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Target Center 14,933
26–37
64
March 10
Golden State
W 103–102
Andrew Wiggins (24)
Nemanja Bjelica (12)
Ricky Rubio (13)
Target Center 20,412
27−37
65
March 11
@ Milwaukee
L 95–102
Karl-Anthony Towns (35)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (8)
Bradley Center 18,717
27–38
66
March 13
Washington
W 119–104
Karl-Anthony Towns (39)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Ricky Rubio (19)
Target Center 15,747
28–38
67
March 15
@ Boston
L 104–117
Ricky Rubio (23)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (7)
TD Garden 18,624
28–39
68
March 17
@ Miami
L 105–123
Karl-Anthony Towns (31)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Ricky Rubio (6)
American Airlines Arena 19,600
28–40
69
March 19
@ New Orleans
L 109–123
Karl-Anthony Towns (33)
Gorgui Dieng (10)
Ricky Rubio (14)
Smoothie King Center 16,111
28–41
70
March 21
San Antonio
L 93–100
Karl-Anthony Towns (25)
Karl-Anthony Towns (14)
Ricky Rubio (7)
Target Center 13,742
28–42
71
March 24
@ L.A. Lakers
L 119–130 (OT)
Andrew Wiggins (36)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Ricky Rubio (15)
Staples Center 18,997
28–43
72
March 25
@ Portland
L 100–112
Andrew Wiggins (20)
Gorgui Dieng (7)
Rubio, Jones (4)
Moda Center 19,580
28–44
73
March 28
@ Indiana
W 115–114
Karl-Anthony Towns (37)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse 17,534
29–44
74
March 30
L.A. Lakers
W 119–104
Ricky Rubio (33)
Gorgui Dieng (15)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Target Center 18,179
30–44 :
April
: 1–7 (home: 1–2; road: 0–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
75
April 1
Sacramento
L 117–123
Andrew Wiggins (32)
Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Ricky Rubio (13)
Target Center 18,960
30–45
76
April 3
Portland
W 110–109
Karl-Anthony Towns (34)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (16)
Target Center 14,677
31–45
77
April 4
@ Golden State
L 107–121
Muhammad, Wiggins (24)
Shabazz Muhammad (11)
Ricky Rubio (5)
Oracle Arena 19,596
31−46
78
April 6
@ Portland
L 98–105
Andrew Wiggins (36)
Karl-Anthony Towns (16)
Ricky Rubio (5)
Moda Center 19,393
31–47
79
April 7
@ Utah
L 113–120
Karl-Anthony Towns (32)
Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
Ricky Rubio (12)
Vivint Smart Home Arena 19,911
31–48
80
April 9
@ L.A. Lakers
L 109–110
Andrew Wiggins (41)
Karl-Anthony Towns (21)
Ricky Rubio (11)
Staples Center 18,997
31–49
81
April 11
Oklahoma City
L 98–100
Karl-Anthony Towns (26)
Karl-Anthony Towns (12)
Ricky Rubio (10)
Target Center 19,356
31–50
82
April 12
@ Houston
L 118–123
Karl-Anthony Towns (28)
Karl-Anthony Towns (21)
Kris Dunn (16)
Toyota Center 18,055
31–51 :
2016–17 season schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Andrew Wiggins | SF | 82 | 82 | 3,048 | 328 | 189 | 82 | 30 | 1,933 | 37.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .4 | 23.6 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | C | 82 | 82 | 3,030 | 1,007 | 220 | 56 | 103 | 2,061 | 37.0 | 12.3 | 2.7 | .7 | 1.3 | 25.1 |
| Gorgui Dieng | PF | 82 | 82 | 2,653 | 647 | 158 | 88 | 95 | 816 | 32.4 | 7.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 10.0 |
| Kris Dunn | PG | 78 | 7 | 1,333 | 166 | 188 | 78 | 36 | 293 | 17.1 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.0 | .5 | 3.8 |
| Shabazz Muhammad | SF | 78 | 1 | 1,516 | 220 | 35 | 22 | 6 | 772 | 19.4 | 2.8 | .4 | .3 | .1 | 9.9 |
| Ricky Rubio | PG | 75 | 75 | 2,469 | 305 | 682 | 128 | 10 | 836 | 32.9 | 4.1 | 9.1 | 1.7 | .1 | 11.1 |
| Nemanja Bjelica | PF | 65 | 1 | 1,190 | 244 | 79 | 40 | 20 | 403 | 18.3 | 3.8 | 1.2 | .6 | .3 | 6.2 |
| Cole Aldrich | C | 62 | 0 | 531 | 158 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 105 | 8.6 | 2.5 | .4 | .4 | .4 | 1.7 |
| Tyus Jones | PG | 60 | 0 | 774 | 67 | 156 | 48 | 5 | 209 | 12.9 | 1.1 | 2.6 | .8 | .1 | 3.5 |
| Zach LaVine | SG | 47 | 47 | 1,749 | 160 | 139 | 41 | 10 | 889 | 37.2 | 3.4 | 3.0 | .9 | .2 | 18.9 |
| Brandon Rush | SG | 47 | 33 | 1,030 | 99 | 45 | 22 | 23 | 197 | 21.9 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .5 | .5 | 4.2 |
| Adreian Payne | PF | 18 | 0 | 135 | 33 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 63 | 7.5 | 1.8 | .4 | .4 | .4 | 3.5 |
| Omri Casspi$^†$ | PF | 13 | 0 | 222 | 20 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 45 | 17.1 | 1.5 | .8 | 1.0 | .2 | 3.5 |
| Jordan Hill | C | 7 | 0 | 47 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 6.7 | 2.0 | .0 | .1 | .0 | 1.7 |
| Lance Stephenson$^†$ | SG | 6 | 0 | 67 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 11.2 | 1.7 | .8 | .0 | .0 | 3.5 |
| John Lucas III | PG | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2.2 | .0 | .2 | .4 | .0 | .4 |
* $^†$ Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

## Transactions
### Free agents
#### Re-signed

| Player | Signed |
| Gorgui Dieng | 4-year contract extension worth $64 million |

#### Additions

| Player | Signed | Former Team |
| Brandon Rush | 1-year contract worth $3.5 million | Golden State Warriors |
| Cole Aldrich | 3-year contract worth $22 million | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Jordan Hill | 2-year contract worth $8 million | Indiana Pacers |
| John Lucas III | 1-year contract worth $635,753 | Piratas de Quebradillas |
| Lance Stephenson | 10-day contract worth $72,193 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Omri Casspi | 1-year contract worth $185,710 | New Orleans Pelicans |

#### Subtractions

| Player | Reason left | New team |
| John Lucas III | Waived | |
| Lance Stephenson | 3-year contract worth $12 million | Indiana Pacers |