Everyone keeps asking the same thing: did the wolves win? It’s a loaded question because "winning" in the NBA is usually binary. You either hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy or you go home wondering what went wrong. But for the 2023-24 Minnesota Timberwolves, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re looking at the scoreboard or the soul of the franchise. They didn't win the championship. That much we know. The Dallas Mavericks took care of that in a gentleman’s sweep during the Western Conference Finals. Yet, if you’ve followed this team since the Kevin Garnett era, you know that this season felt like a victory in almost every other sense.
The Wolves finally looked like they belonged.
For twenty years, this team was the punchline of the league. Then, suddenly, Anthony Edwards started playing like a young Michael Jordan, and Rudy Gobert actually started making the "Twin Towers" experiment with Karl-Anthony Towns look like a stroke of genius. They finished the regular season with 56 wins. That’s the second-best mark in the history of the team. So, did they win? In the standings, they won a lot. In the playoffs, they won two rounds, including an insane Game 7 comeback against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Series: When the Wolves Truly Won
If you want to point to the exact moment people stopped laughing at Minnesota, it was May 19, 2024. Down by 20 points on the road against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets. Most teams fold there. Most Minnesota teams definitely fold there. But this group didn't. They scrapped back.
That Game 7 win was arguably the biggest "win" in the history of the franchise, even more so than their 2004 run. Why? Because they took down the giant. They proved that their defense—the best in the league during the regular season—could stifle the best player on the planet. When the buzzer sounded and the Wolves won that series, it felt like a changing of the guard. Anthony Edwards was screaming into the cameras, and the fans back in Minneapolis were losing their minds.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a team's identity shift so fast. They went from "play-in contenders" to "championship favorites" in the span of two weeks. That momentum is what makes the question of whether the wolves won so complicated. They won the respect of the entire basketball world, which is something you can't buy with a high draft pick.
Why the Dallas Series Felt Like a Loss
Then came the Mavericks. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
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It was a reality check. While the Wolves had the size to bother Denver, they didn't have the perimeter speed to keep up with Dallas’s backcourt. Luka was hitting step-back threes in Rudy Gobert’s face, and suddenly, all those questions about the Wolves' roster construction came flooding back. Was the trade for Rudy actually worth it? Can KAT be a second option on a title team?
They looked tired. You could see it in their legs. That seven-game war with Denver took everything they had, and by the time they hit the Western Conference Finals, the tank was empty. They lost the first three games. You don't come back from that. They avoided the sweep in Game 4, but Game 5 was a blowout at home. It was a brutal way to end a magical run. In that moment, the answer to "did the wolves win" was a resounding no. They were outplayed, outcoached, and out-executed when it mattered most.
The Anthony Edwards Leap
You can't talk about this season without talking about "Ant." He’s only 22 (at the time of the run). He averaged nearly 28 points in the playoffs. But it wasn't just the scoring; it was the vibe. He’s the first player since KG who actually seems to love being in Minnesota.
- He demanded to guard the best players.
- He took accountability when he played poorly.
- He became the face of the NBA’s next generation.
If your franchise finds a generational superstar, you've won the lottery. Most teams spend decades searching for a guy like Edwards. The Wolves have him, and he’s under contract. That’s a massive win for the long-term health of the organization.
Breaking Down the Financial "Win"
Basketball is a business, and the Wolves' front office, led by Tim Connelly, took a massive gamble. They traded a haul of picks for Gobert. People hated it. Experts called it the worst trade in NBA history. But look at the results.
- Defense: They ranked 1st in defensive rating ($108.4$ points allowed per 100 possessions).
- Attendance: Target Center was sold out almost every night.
- Revenue: Playoff runs mean massive jersey sales and high-priced tickets.
From a business perspective, the wolves won big. They transitioned from a "small market team that loses money" to a "premium NBA brand." This matters because it affects their ability to pay the luxury tax. Ownership is currently in a weird legal battle—Glenn Taylor vs. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez—but the value of the team has skyrocketed. You don't get that kind of valuation jump if you're sitting in the lottery.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Wolves' Defense
People love to hate on Rudy Gobert. It’s a national pastime on NBA Twitter. They see him get switched onto a guard and think he's a liability. But if you actually watch the tape, the Wolves' defensive scheme was a masterpiece.
It wasn't just Rudy. It was Jaden McDaniels being a "seatbelt" on the perimeter. It was Nickeil Alexander-Walker coming off the bench and playing like a maniac. It was KAT actually playing disciplined post defense. The Wolves didn't win the title because their offense bogged down, not because their defense failed. They proved that you can play big in a league that has gone small. They forced the rest of the NBA to rethink how to build a roster. That’s a conceptual win that will influence trades for the next three seasons.
The Road Ahead: Can They Win It All?
So, where does this leave us? If the goal is a ring, the Wolves are still "losers" in the technical sense. But the foundation is there. They have the superstar. They have the identity. They have the chemistry.
The Western Conference is a bloodbath. Oklahoma City is getting better. San Antonio has Wemby. The Grizzlies will be back. The Wolves don't have a lot of ways to improve the roster because they’re over the salary cap and out of draft picks. They have to win with what they have.
Improving means internal growth. It means Jaden McDaniels becoming a consistent offensive threat. It means Naz Reid—the Sixth Man of the Year—continuing to be the most versatile big man in the league. Honestly, it’s a lot to ask. But for the first time in two decades, it feels possible.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the progress of this team or looking to see if the wolves win in the upcoming season, keep your eyes on these specific areas:
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Monitor the Ownership Situation
The legal fight between Taylor and the Lore/Rodriguez group will determine if the team is willing to pay the massive luxury tax bill coming due. If the money dries up, they might have to trade a core piece like KAT.
Watch the "Ant" Evolution
Anthony Edwards needs to improve his playmaking. When teams double-team him, he sometimes forces the shot. If he learns to dissect defenses like LeBron or Luka, he becomes unstoppable.
Check the Defensive Ratings
If the Wolves slip out of the top five defensively next year, the "Twin Towers" era might be nearing its end. Their margin for error on offense is thin; they must remain elite on the other end to win.
Follow Naz Reid’s Usage
Naz Reid is a fan favorite for a reason. His ability to stretch the floor and put the ball on the deck is unique. If his minutes increase at the expense of the traditional starters, it signals a shift in the team’s tactical philosophy.
The 2024 season was a masterclass in shifting expectations. While they didn't get the rings, they killed the "loosing culture" that had haunted the Twin Cities for years. In the grand scheme of sports narratives, that’s as close to a win as you can get without a parade.
Next Steps for Deep-Dive Analysis
To get a better handle on the Wolves' future, look into the 2024-25 NBA salary cap projections and how the "Second Apron" rules affect teams with three max contracts. You should also compare the Wolves' defensive shot charts against the league average to see exactly how they funnel players into their rim protectors.