Anthony Edwards rushed for a pregame hug with Kevin Garnett as the former star returned to the Target Center, prompting cheers from a weary Minnesota crowd. Edwards declared Garnett “the greatest Timberwolf,” hoping the legend’s presence will ignite a squad that must rediscover the spark that carried it to the Western Conference finals last two years.

Finch reminded his players they can’t rely on past success; “we have a switch to flip, and we have to flip it now,” he said. Edwards, who posted career‑high 28.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting, admitted the team often seemed content just to survive the regular season. Defensive rating slipped to eighth, a sharp drop from the top‑three finishes of the previous two campaigns.

Rudy Gobert stressed that a hungry mindset is essential against a strong Denver squad, noting the Wolves must tighten defense and capitalize on Edwards’ renewed fitness after a knee‑limited stretch that saw him shed weight to 218 pounds. With the playoff door open, Minnesota’s fate now hinges on whether the team can translate the buzz from Garnett’s visit into disciplined, high‑energy play.