The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Friday they'll retire Kevin Garnett's jersey next February.
Garnett's iconic number 21 jersey will be retired on February 28th following the Timberwolves game against the Boston Celtics on NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball at Target Center.
Garnett becomes just the second player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining former teammate Malik Sely whose number two was retired following his death in May of 2000.
Special "KG" theme nights will be announced leading up to the retirement ceremony.
“Minnesota is home. That’s never changed," Garnett announced in a statement. "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. I’m excited to bring art, culture, and creativity back to this city in a real way — not just one night, but year-round."
The team is saying that the Garnett jersey retirement will serve as the "centerpiece of a season-long celebration honoring Garnett’s extraordinary impact on the Timberwolves, the state of Minnesota and an entire generation of basketball fans."
Garnett returned to the Timberwolves in December 2025 as Team Ambassador, reuniting the franchise with the Hall of Fame player. He has been absent from the franchise after a bitter fallout with former majority owner Glen Taylor following Garnett's retirement in 2016.
Since purchasing the team from Taylor, new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore have worked to mend fences with Garnett and bring him back to the team.
Garnett won the NBA MVP award for the 2003-04 season while leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals. After playing the first 12 years of his career for Minnesota, he was traded to the Celtics in 2007 and won an NBA title with them in his first year. He returned to Minnesota in 2015 and played his last of 21 seasons in the league there.
Garnett is the all-time Timberwolves leader in numerous statistical categories, including points, rebounds, blocks, assists and steals.
