The Minnesota Timberwolves will officially retire Kevin Garnett’s No. 21 jersey during a ceremony scheduled for Feb. 28, 2027, at the Target Center. The event will mark a significant milestone for the franchise, as the number has remained unworn since Garnett’s initial departure in 2007, though it was never formally retired until now.
Garnett’s jersey retirement ceremony was delayed for over a decade due to his refusal to participate while Glen Taylor owned the team. Garnett cited longstanding disagreements with Taylor, stating he “doesn’t do business with snakes.” Though Garnett had considered joining the organization in a minority ownership role after returning to play during the 2015-16 season under coach Flip Saunders, the relationship deteriorated following Saunders’ death and a subsequent contract buyout.
The path forward opened after Taylor sold the Timberwolves to a group led by Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez last year following a contentious legal dispute. With the new ownership in place, Garnett was brought back to the organization in an off-court capacity. He made his first public appearance at a game on April 12, 2026, signaling that the relationship had been restored.
The ceremony will take place when the Boston Celtics visit Minnesota, creating a symbolic full-circle moment for Garnett’s career. His No. 5 jersey is already retired in Boston, where he won his sole NBA championship in 2008. During his time with Minnesota, Garnett earned 10 All-Star selections, eight All-NBA team honors, and one MVP award. He led the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance in 1997 and consecutive postseason berths through the following eight years, culminating in a Western Conference Finals trip in 2004. Garnett holds the franchise record in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals.
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