NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves Top 5 All-Time Buzzer Beaters

Minnesota Timberwolves buzzer beaters aren't easy to come by, as there have only been 22 in their existence. 

The buzzer beater is the most exciting moment in the NBA. Time seems to slow, the crowd swells as the ball floats through the air and unleashes with fury when the home team wins it. 

On the flip side, a buzzer beater by the visiting team deflates the crowd like the popping of a balloon.  What once was an exciting and jubilant atmosphere changes into a somber and quiet arena.

The reversal of fortunes is what makes the buzzer beater so exciting.  One team holds out hope that they can do the impossible, that they can actually beat time.  The other team knows they need one more stop to secure victory—and once the ball is in the air all they can do is wait, watch and hope.

No. 5: Damien Wilkins Beats Nets on Putback 95-93

Damien Wilkins Beats Nets

Home buzzer beaters are awesome to watch. 

This one comes off of a miss which just adds to the emotion of the moment.  The Timberwolves were trying to win on the last possession and avoid overtime. 

The fans have already exhaled, thinking it's going to overtime, when Wilkins comes up with the miss and releases with just .2 seconds left to beat New Jersey 95-93.

No. 4 Kevin Garnett Jumper Beats Philadelphia in OT 104-102

Kevin Garnett beats Portland 3/25/07

This took place in Garnett's last year as a Timberwolves player.  Kevin could get a shot up against just about anybody. 

I love how this video captures the pure joy of the fan holding the camera.  For a split second, the person taking the video had to cheer with everybody else in the arena. 

This 15-footer beat the 76ers in overtime by a score of 104-102.

No. 3 Kevin Garnett Beats Two Defenders, Portland 94-93

Garnett Over Two Defenders Beats Portland 94-93

This one is reminiscent of the buzzer beater against Philadelphia in overtime. 

Down a point against Portland, Garnett turns and hits the 15-footer over two defenders. 

This is in March of 2007, just a few months before Garnett gets traded to the Celtics.  This combines the excitement of the home crowd with the reversal of fortune as the fans get to go home happy.

No. 2 Kevin Love Gets Wide Open and Beats the Clippers 101-98

Love sinks the Clippers

While I am more partial to buzzer beaters that swing the game from one winner to another, this makes the list because it was on national TV, and the game itself was dominated by the Clippers. 

The Timberwolves had to make two clutch threes in the last 30 seconds in order to win.  I love the silencing of the crowd while Love basks in his glory.

No. 1 Malik Sealy's Three Pointer Beats Indiana 101-100

Malik Sealy vs. Indiana

This video shows all that a buzzer beater should be.  The game was close the whole way with both teams making shots down the stretch. 

What looked like a deflating loss after Mark Jackson's circus shot turns into pure ecstasy as Malik banks it home with no time left. 

Watch the crowd and the players go crazy as the buzzer sounds and the home team steals one.

Honorable Mention

The Timberwolves have been on both sides of the coin during the franchises' history, and while each buzzer beater deserves recognition, it just isn't possible to list them all, and video doesn't exist for all of them.  Here are some that were left out:

Honorable Mention

Ricky Davis vs. Celtics: 18-footer to win 109-107 with .2 seconds remaining

Kevin Garnett @ Clippers: 21-footer to win 96-94 with no time left

Tom Gugliotta @ Rockets: five-footer in overtime to win 116-115 with .5 seconds remaining

 

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