The Timberwolves are on the brink of basketball history.
Minnesota has long been one of the NBA's snakebitten franchises, struggling to find gold in a sea filled with gemstones. Despite some of the sport's finest talents gracing its furs, including Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Karl-Anthony Towns and, most recently, Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves have yet to reach top-flight basketball's mountaintop.
They've had some fairly close calls, particularly during Garnett's pomp. However, the Wolves' latest appearance in the Western Conference Finals represents something of unchartered territory for the Great Lakes' outfit.
With that, here's what you need to know about Minnesota and its history in basketball's biggest games.
MORE: Why the perfect Anthony Edwards comparison isn't Michael Jordan
Have the Timberwolves ever won an NBA championship?
If you're a Timberwolves fan, shield your eyes: Minnesota has yet to make an NBA Finals appearance in its 35-year history.
The T-Wolves are one of just five NBA franchises yet to compete for a chance at the title. Among those sides, only the Clippers can claim to have waited longer than Minnesota to reach the brink of a championship.
That's not to say the Timberwolves haven't had chances to make it to basketball's promised land. Or rather, a chance. In 2004, the Wolves, led by the silky play of two-way mega-star Kevin Garnett and the tactical stylings of head coach Flip Saunders, raced to a 58-24 record and first place in the Western Conference.
Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists a night en route to earning MVP honors. He continued his strong play in the postseason, leading Minnesota beyond the Nuggets and Kings in its first two rounds. Despite a valiant effort, the T-Wolves were unable to overcome the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, falling in six games to the eventual NBA Finals runner-ups.
Even that series was close, however; two of Minnesota's losses were decided by seven points or fewer.
Which teams have never made the NBA Finals?
The Timberwolves would love to scrub their names from an ignominious list with an appearance in this year's NBA Finals.
At present, Minnesota is one of five franchises that has failed to make it to the NBA Finals. With nary an appearance in 35 years, the Wolves also sport one of basketball's longest active streaks.
Here's a look at the sides who have never earned a spot in the NBA Finals:
| Team | First NBA season | Seasons |
| Clippers | 1970-71 | 54 |
| Timberwolves | 1989-90 | 35 |
| Hornets* | 1988-89 | 34* |
| Grizzlies | 1995-96 | 29 |
| Pelicans** | 2002-03 | 22 |
* Charlotte did not have a basketball team from 2003 to 2005, hence the lapse of two seasons.
** The Pelicans' franchise history begins in the 2002-03 season when the original Hornets franchise relocated to New Orleans. The current Charlotte franchise has ownership of the franchise history that occurred between 1988 and 2002.
How many NBA teams have never won the NBA Finals?
In addition to the five franchises that have failed to advance to the NBA Finals, there are another five franchises that have never won an NBA title.
Among franchises without an NBA championship, the Suns have made the most NBA Finals appearances with three. Phoenix lost to Boston in 1976, Chicago in 1993 and Milwaukee in 2021.
| Team | Total NBA Finals appearances | Last NBA Finals appearance |
| Suns | 3 | 2021 |
| Magic | 2 | 2009 |
| Nets | 2 | 2003 |
| Jazz | 2 | 1998 |
| Pacers | 1 | 2000 |
| Clippers | 0 | — |
| Grizzlies | 0 | — |
| Hornets | 0 | — |
| Pelicans | 0 | — |
| Timberwolves | 0 | — |
Longest NBA Finals droughts
Because of expansion and relocation, there are a number of franchises that won titles during a different era of the NBA's 76-year history. The Hawks and Kings are two examples of franchises that made an NBA Finals appearance — and won — while in a different location.
The Kings' NBA Finals victory came in 1951 when they were known as the Rochester Royals. The Hawks won the 1958 NBA Finals while based in St. Louis.
| Rank | Team | Seasons | Last NBA Finals appearance | Won? |
| 1. | Kings | 73 | 1951 | Yes |
| 2. | Hawks | 63 | 1961 | No |
| 3. | Clippers | 54 | — | — |
| 4. | Wizards | 45 | 1979 | No |
| 5. | Timberwolves | 35 | — | — |
| 6. | Hornets | 34 | — | — |
| 7. | Trail Blazers | 32 | 1992 | No |
| 8. | Rockets | 29 | 1995 | Yes |
| Grizzlies | 29 | — | — |
