Minnesota Clinches Playoff Spot, Rest of Postseason Field Finally Set

Minnesota became the last team to make the playoffs by beating Denver in OT.

Jimmy Butler #23 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate in the final minute of overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler #23 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate in the final minute of overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Getty Images

They had to go to overtime to get it done, but for the first time in 14 years the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the NBA playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Minnesota’s win was their loss as Denver missed out on their chance to return the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13 courtesy of the T-Wolves’ 112-106 overtime victory on Wednesday night.

With the win, Minnesota became the last team to qualify for the 16-team NBA postseason which will begin on Saturday when the San Antonio Spurs take on the Golden State Warriors in Oakland at 3 p.m. EST.

On Saturday, the Washington Wizards will take on the Raptors in Toronto, the Miami Heat will travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans will go to Portland for a date with the Trail Blazers.

The other four series begin on Sunday with the Milwaukee Bucks taking on the Celtics in Boston at 1. That matchup will be followed by the Indiana Pacers playing the Cavs in Cleveland, the Utah Jazz facing the Thunder in Oklahoma City and Minnesota taking on the Rockets in Houston.

The second games of all eight series will be held Monday through Wednesday with Game 3s starting Thursday. If needed, all Game 7s would take place on April 28 and 29.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.