The Boston Celtics have retired 24 uniform numbers throughout the years — a testament to the amount of legends that have worn green. While the Celtics and their culture demand a ton of players who join the franchise, you can’t say that the organization doesn’t reward and honor its players who perform at a championship level.
Kevin Garnett was the most recent Celtic to have his jersey raised to the rafters (in 2022), and a new report indicates that another NBA franchise will be retiring Garnett’s jersey in 2025-26.
To be honest, it’s suprising that the Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t already retire KG’s No. 21 uniform years ago, but better late than never, as they say.
Per Forbes’ Evan Sidery, Minnesota plans to retire Garnett’s uniform this season.
In defense of the Wolves waiting this long to honor KG, Minnesota isn’t a franchise accustomed to retiring jersey numbers. They’ve only held two such ceremonies in the organization’s history — for the late Malik Sealy (No. 2), and for the late Flip Saunders (the Wolves raised a “FLIP” banner to the rafters in 2018 to honor the head coach).
Garnett’s ceremony in Minnesota is long overdue, and Sidery’s right — at least this is happening during a season in which the Timberwolves are bringing back their iconic uniforms.
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No one has done more than Garnett to enhance the Timberwolves’ brand and reputation since the franchise was founded in 1989. KG put the T-Wolves on the map, leading Minnesota to eight-consecutive playoff appearances between 1996 and 2004, culminating in a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2004. Garnett also won NBA MVP that season.
KG averaged 19.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Timberwolves in 970 career games after being drafted out of high school by Minnesota in 1995.
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Featured image via Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
