NBA returned to Minnesota with an expansion team known as the Timberwolves 30 years after Lakers left for Los Angeles. It is one of the four new expansion teams of NBA which included Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat. Timberwolves was chosen as the name of the team in a contest where the other choice was Polars. It is in reference to Minnesota being home to the largest population of Timberwolves in the lower 48 states. The team logo is a ferocious looking Timberwolf over a skyline of evergreen trees, with Timberwolves written in blue underneath a black shadow while Minnesota is written in silver on the black shadow above. The team colors are blue black and green.

In 1998, the team signed Kevin Garnett to an unprecedented 6-year, $126 million contract. Garnett, a power forward is regarded as one of the best all-around players in the NBA. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 1995 and became the first player to be drafted directly out of high school since Moses Malone in 1974. He had a very respectable rookie year. He is now wearing number 5 for the Boston Celtics.

The Timberwolves sport a white home jersey and a blue road jersey. They also have an alternate jersey in black.