The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 11th season in the National Basketball Association. The Timberwolves acquired the sixth pick in the 1999 NBA draft from the New Jersey Nets, and selected Wally Szczerbiak out of Miami University. For the season opener, the Timberwolves traveled to Tokyo, Japan to play their first two games against the Sacramento Kings. After a 7–5 start, the Timberwolves struggled posting an 8-game losing streak in December, but then won 20 of their next 25 games. The Timberwolves enjoyed their first 50-win season finishing third in the Midwest Division with a 50–32 record. Kevin Garnett averaged 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while being selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game. Szczerbiak had a solid rookie season averaging 11.6 points per game, and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Terrell Brandon provided the team with 17.1 points, 8.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Timberwolves lost in four games to the Portland Trail Blazers.