'Wolves Back Day' declared by Gov. Walz on day of first Western Conference Final game
MINNEAPOLIS — Wednesday, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed what Minnesotans already know: The Timberwolves are back.
After an against-the-odds defeat Sunday of the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, May 22, 2024, the first day of the Western Conference Finals series, is now "Wolves Back Day."
"All eyes will be North," Walz said in the proclamation, "as the Timberwolves bring conference championship basketball back to Minnesota again."
For Minnesota basketball fans and Wolves players alike, this chance at the Western Conference title is long overdue.
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In an interaction with a reporter after the team's 98-90 victory and 20-point comeback, star power forward Karl-Anthony Towns joked about the team's history of losing.
Reporter: "Usually in NBA history it says you have to lose, and lose big, before you win. What is it about this team that says …"
Towns: "We lost last year."
Reporter: "Yeah but that's different, you have to lose at a bigger stage, usually."
Towns: "It's the playoffs, we lost last year."
Anthony Edwards: "We lost the last two years, (expletive)."
Towns: "(Expletive). How much more we got to lose?"
Edwards: "Yeah, how much you want us to lose?"
Towns: "We've been losing for 20 years, (expletive)."
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Edwards, shooting guard, made his own viral moment in a post-game interview with Charles Barkley, telling the basketball legend who hadn't visited the state in 20 years to come for the game: "Bring ya a**!"
"Anthony Edwards extended a warm invitation [to Barkley] to come witness the greatness that is Minnesota," Walz said.
The phrase was quickly capitalized on by city tourism and is sure to be a staple slogan for the post-season series.
Walz's proclamation has a hidden message in the first letter of each sentence, spelling out the quip.
"Sports have the power to bring people together," Walz said. "Minnesota fans are excited to cheer on our beloved Timberwolves.
The Wolves will play the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center at 7:30 p.m. CST in the first game of the best-of-seven series.
— Sam Woodward can be reached at swoodward@gannett.com, on X @woodyreports, or on Threads @samjowoody
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Gov. Walz declares Wednesday "Wolves Back Day" in Minnesota
