Timberwolves to retire Kevin Garnett's No. 21 jersey (finally!) on Feb. 28 vs. Celtics

Kevin Garnett is the greatest player in Timberwolves franchise history. The 2004 MVP when with the team was a nine-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA player while in Minnesota, and remains the franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocked shots, assists, and steals. His Timberwolves team was the first in franchise history to reach the Western Conference Finals. His jersey retirement is long overdue, but it will happen on Feb. 28 against the Boston Celtics — an NBC Sunday Night Basketball game, which will have plenty of coverage of the event. "Minnesota is home. That's never changed," Garnett said in a statement announcing the retirement. "This is where it all started for me, so seeing No. 21 go up in Target Center and sharing that moment with the fans, my family, teammates, coaches, and everyone who's been part of this journey means everything. "But I don't see this as the end — I see it as a new beginning. Retiring the jersey is just the start of the next chapter in Minnesota, about building something that lives beyond the game... But 21 being retired is forever — and it's also just the beginning of something new. I can't wait to be back in that building, feel that energy, and celebrate it with everybody. Let's get it." This should have happened long ago for the Hall of Famer, but Garnett's feud with former Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor ran so deep that he wasn't around the team and wasn't honored. That strain in the relationship started around Garnett's trade to Boston, where he did go on to win a ring (the Celtics have retired his No. 5 in green). One of the things new Minnesota owners Mark Lore and Alex Rodriguez did was patch up that relationship. "Over the course of his career, Kevin Garnett became much more than the greatest player in Timberwolves history. He became the embodiment of what it means to compete, to lead and to represent Minnesota," Timberwolves & Lynx Co-Chairmen Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez said in a statement. "Bringing Kevin back to the organization as Team Ambassador has allowed us to celebrate his legacy in a new and meaningful way, and retiring No. 21 is the ultimate recognition of everything he has meant to this franchise and our fans. We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible moment with Kevin, his family, our fans and everyone who helped make his legacy possible." It may have taken a while to get here, but this is finally getting done, as it should. And it's happening on a night with what should be an entertaining matchup, with Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards going head-to-head.