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2015–16 Minnesota Timberwolves season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NBA season

| team = Minnesota Timberwolves

| end_year = 2016

| wins = 29

| losses = 53

| division = Northwest

| division_place = 5

| conf_place = 13

| coach = Sam Mitchell

| gm = Milt Newton

| owners = Glen Taylor

| arena = Target Center

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| bbr_team = MIN

| television = Fox Sports North

| radio = WCCO

}}

The 2015–16 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the 27th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).{{cite web|title=2015-16|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/tickets/minnesota-timberwolves-2015-16-season-memberships|website=Minnesota Timberwolves|publisher=National Basketball Association|accessdate=9 June 2015}} Before the season, the Timberwolves announced that head coach and team president Flip Saunders will not coach the team this season as he continued his battle with cancer. Sam Mitchell was named interim head coach. On October 25, 2015, Saunders died and the Wolves announced that Mitchell as the interim coach for the rest of the season. Around the start of the season, the Timberwolves were the first team in NBA history with four players that were around 20 or younger, between Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Tyus Jones to start out a season.{{ref label|20|a|a}}

It also marked the final season of Kevin Garnett's career in the NBA and his first time since 2006-07 playing with the Timberwolves. Playing 21 years in the league, Garnett previously played for the Wolves from 1995 to 2007 until being traded to the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship with them in 2008. Prior to his second stint with the Wolves, Garnett played two disappointing seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, one of them with fellow Celtics Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. Garnett is believed by many as the greatest Timberwolf of all time. He was also the last remaining active player from the 1995 NBA draft.

The Timberwolves missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season, equalling the second-longest postseason appearance drought in NBA history of the Golden State Warriors between 1994–95 and 2005–06, only behind the Los Angeles Clippers{{ref label|San Diego|b|b}} between 1976–77 and 1990–91. However, the Timberwolves had their second straight Rookie of the Year winner with #1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns earning the award.

Draft

{{main|2015 NBA draft}}

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Round

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Pick

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="20%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="15%"| Position

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="15%"| Nationality

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="20%"| College / Club

style="text-align: center

| 1

| 1

| Karl-Anthony Towns

| C

| {{DOM}}

| |Kentucky

style="text-align: center

| 2

| 31

| Cedi Osman

| SF

| {{TUR}}

| Anadolu Efes

style="text-align: center

| 2

| 36

| Rakeem Christmas

| PF / C

| {{USA}}

| Syracuse

Roster

{{NBA roster header|team=Minnesota Timberwolves|season=2015–16

| bg1 = #005083 | color1 = #FFFFFF

| bg2 = #000000 | color2 = #FFFFFF}}

{{player2 | num = 88 | first = Nemanja | last = Bjelica | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 240 | from = Serbia | DOB = 1988–05–09 }}

{{player2 | num = 21 | first = Kevin | last = Garnett | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 253 | school = Farragut Academy (IL) | DOB = 1976–05–19 }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = Gorgui | last = Dieng | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 245 | college = Louisville | DOB = 1990–01–18 }}

{{player2 | num = 1 | first = Tyus | last = Jones | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 195 | college = Duke | DOB = 1996–05–10 }}

{{player2 | num = 8 | first = Zach | last = LaVine | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 189 | college = UCLA | DOB = 1995–03–10 }}

{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Shabazz | last = Muhammad | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 223 | college = UCLA | DOB = 1992–11–13 }}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Adreian | last = Payne | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 237 | college = Michigan State | DOB = 1991–02–19 }}

{{player2 | num = 14 | first = Nikola | last = Peković | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 307 | from = Montenegro | DOB = 1986–01–03 }}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Tayshaun | last = Prince | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 212 | college = Kentucky | DOB = 1980–02–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 9 | first = Ricky | last = Rubio | pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 194 | from = Spain | DOB = 1990–10–21 }}

{{player2 | num = 10 | first = Damjan | last = Rudež | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 228 | from = Croatia | DOB = 1986–06–17 }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Greg | last = Smith | dab = basketball, born 1991 | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 250 | college = Fresno State | DOB = 1991–01–08 }}

{{player2 | num = 32 | first = Karl-Anthony | last = Towns | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 250 | from = Dominican Republic | DOB = 1995–11–15 }}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Andrew | last = Wiggins | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 200 | college = Kansas | DOB = 1995–02–23 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

| otherlegend = (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate

| roster_url = http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/roster/

| transaction_url = http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Minnesota-Timberwolves/17/Transaction_History

| accessdate = 2016–04–13

}}

Pre-season

{{NBA game log start|Minnesota Timberwolves|pre-season=yes|end_year=2016|record=Total: 2–5 (Home: 2–2; Road: 0–3)}}

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|Pre-season|first=yes|show=no

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 3

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 1

| October 7

| Oklahoma City

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151007/OKCMIN/boxscore.html 99–122]

| Dieng, Towns (18)

| Bjelica, Towns (5)

| Tyus Jones (4)

| Staples Center
8,601

| 0–1

|- style="background-color:#fbb;"

| 2

| October 10

| Chicago

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151010/CHIMIN/boxscore.html 105–114]

| Tyus Jones (18)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Tyus Jones (9)

| MTS Centre
15,294

| 0–2

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 3

| October 12

| @ Toronto

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151012/MINTOR/boxscore.html 105–112]

| Andrew Wiggins (21)

| Dieng, Payne, Towns (6)

| Lorenzo Brown (5)

| Air Canada Centre
19,277

| 0–3

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 4

| October 14

| Toronto

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151014/TORMIN/boxscore.html 89–87]

| Gorgui Dieng (14)

| Nemanja Bjelica (6)

| Zach LaVine (5)

| Canadian Tire Centre
15,522

| 1–3

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 5

| October 18

| @ Memphis

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151018/MINMEM/boxscore.html 68–90]

| Zach LaVine (12)

| Dieng, Towns (7)

| Ricky Rubio (4)

| FedExForum
13,387

| 1–4

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 6

| October 20

| @ Milwaukee

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151020/MINMIL/boxscore.html 88–106]

| Shabazz Muhammad (18)

| Nemanja Bjelica (7)

| Garnett, Muhammad, Martin (4)

| Kohl Center
12,381

| 1–5

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 7

| October 23

| Milwaukee

| [http://www.nba.com/games/20151023/MILMIN/boxscore.html 112–108]

| Andrew Wiggins (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (6)

| Target Center
10,101

| 2–5

{{NBA game log end|min|end_year=2016}}

Regular season

=Standings=

==Conference==

{{2015–16 NBA West standings|team=MIN}}

==Division==

{{2015–16 NBA Northwest standings|team=MIN}}

Regular season game log

{{NBA game log start|Minnesota Timberwolves|end_year=2016|record=Total: 29–53 (Home: 14–27; Road: 15–26)}}

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|October|first=yes|show=no

| home_wins = 0

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 1

| October 28

| @ L. A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20151028|id=MINLAL|pf=112|pa=111}}

| Ricky Rubio (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (14)

| Staples Center
18,997

| 1–0

|-style="background:#bfb;"

| 2

| October 30

| @ Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20151030|id=MINDEN|pf=95|pa=78}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Pepsi Center
17,660

| 2–0

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|November

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 6

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 3

}}

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 3

| November 2

| Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20151102|id=PORMIN|pf=101|pa=106}}

| Kevin Martin (24)

| Bjelica, Rubio (9)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Target Center
18,903

| 2–1

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 4

| November 5

| Miami

| {{NBA game|date=20151105|id=MIAMIN|pf=84|pa=96}}

| Martin, Muhammad (14)

| Nemanja Bjelica (7)

| Ricky Rubio (5)

| Target Center
11,794

| 2–2

|-style="background:#bfb;"

| 5

| November 7

| @ Chicago

| {{NBA game|date=20151107|id=MINCHI|pf=102|pa=93|ot=1}}

| Andrew Wiggins (31)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| United Center
21,988

| 3–2

|-style="background:#bfb;"

| 6

| November 9

| @ Atlanta

| {{NBA game|date=20151109|id=MINATL|pf=117|pa=107}}

| Andrew Wiggins (33)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Philips Arena
12,016

| 4–2

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 7

| November 10

| Charlotte

| {{NBA game|date=20151110|id=CHAMIN|pf=95|pa=104}}

| Zach LaVine (20)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| Zach LaVine (8)

| Target Center
14,722

| 4–3

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 8

| November 12

| Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20151112|id=GSWMIN|pf=116|pa=129}}

| Andrew Wiggins (19)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Kevin Martin (6)

| Target Center
16,130

| 4–4

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 9

| November 13

| @ Indiana

| {{NBA game|date=20151113|id=MININD|pf=103|pa=107}}

| LaVine, Wiggins (26)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Andre Miller (5)

| Bankers Life Fieldhouse
16,797

| 4–5

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 10

| November 15

| Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20151115|id=MEMMIN|pf=106|pa=114}}

| Zach LaVine (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Andre Miller (8)

| Target Center
12,086

| 4–6

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 11

| November 17

| @ Miami

| {{NBA game|date=20151117|id=MINMIA|pf=103|pa=91}}

| Andrew Wiggins (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| LaVine, Rubio (3)

| American Airlines Arena
19,600

| 5–6

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 12

| November 18

| @ Orlando

| {{NBA game|date=20151118|id=MINORL|pf=101|pa=104|ot=1}}

| Andrew Wiggins (28)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Amway Center
16,048

| 5–7

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 13

| November 20

| Detroit

| {{NBA game|date=20151120|id=DETMIN|pf=86|pa=96}}

| Andrew Wiggins (21)

| Martin, Towns (7)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Target Center
13,445

| 5–8

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 14

| November 23

| Philadelphia

| {{NBA game|date=20151123|id=PHIMIN|pf=100|pa=95}}

| Andrew Wiggins (30)

| Kevin Garnett (10)

| Ricky Rubio (11)

| Target Center
11,382

| 6–8

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 15

| November 25

| Atlanta

| {{NBA game|date=20151125|id=ATLMIN|pf=99|pa=95}}

| Zach LaVine (18)

| Gorgui Dieng (11)

| Rubio, LaVine (6)

| Target Center
14,289

| 7–8

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 16

| November 27

| @ Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20151127|id=MINSAC|pf=101|pa=91}}

| Andrew Wiggins (22)

| Dieng, LaVine, Towns (8)

| Garnett, LaVine, Miller (4)

| Sleep Train Arena
17,317

| 8–8

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 17

| November 29

| @ L. A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20151129|id=MINLAC|pf=99|pa=107}}

| Andrew Wiggins (21)

| Gorgui Dieng (10)

| Zach LaVine (7)

| STAPLES Center
19,060

| 8–9

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|December

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 6

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 6

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 18

| December 1

| Orlando

| {{NBA game|date=20151201|id=ORLMIN|pf=93|pa=96}}

| Andrew Wiggins (27)

| Bjelica, Garnett (8)

| Zach LaVine (5)

| Target Center
10,694

| 8–10

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 19

| December 5

| Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20151205|id=PORMIN|pf=103|pa=109}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (27)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (15)

| Target Center
16,203

| 8–11

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 20

| December 7

| L. A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20151207|id=LACMIN|pf=106|pa=110}}

| Zach LaVine (21)

| Shabazz Muhammad (9)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Target Center
11,467

| 8–12

|-style="background:#bfb;"

| 21

| December 9

| L. A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20151209|id=LALMIN|pf=123|pa=122|ot=1}}

| Kevin Martin (37)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Target Center
18,076

| 9–12

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 22

| December 11

| @ Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20151211|id=MINDEN|pf=108|pa=111|ot=1}}

| Martin, Wiggins (22)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Pepsi Center
12,533

| 9–13

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 23

| December 13

| @ Phoenix

| {{NBA game|date=20151213|id=MINPHX|pf=101|pa=108}}

| Zach LaVine (28)

| Bjelica, Towns (6)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,919

| 9–14

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 24

| December 15

| Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20151215|id=DENMIN|pf=100|pa=112}}

| Andrew Wiggins (23)

| Gorgui Dieng (9)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Target Center
11,323

| 9–15

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 25

| December 16

| @ New York

| {{NBA game|date=20151216|id=MINNYK|pf=102|pa=107}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (25)

| Dieng, Rubio, Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Madison Square Garden
19,812

| 9–16

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 26

| December 18

| Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20151218|id=SACMIN|pf=99|pa=95}}

| Andrew Wiggins (32)

| Gorgui Dieng (11)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Target Center
12,770

| 10–16

|-style="background:#bfb;"

| 27

| December 20

| @ Brooklyn

| {{NBA game|date=20151220|id=MINBKN|pf=100|pa=85}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Barclays Center
14,552

| 11–16

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 28

| December 21

| @ Boston

| {{NBA game|date=20151221|id=MINBOS|pf=99|pa=113}}

| Andrew Wiggins (26)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (16)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| TD Garden
18,624

| 11–17

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 29

| December 23

| San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20151223|id=SASMIN|pf=83|pa=108}}

| Zach LaVine (17)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| LaVine, Rubio (4)

| Target Center
16,788

| 11–18

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 30

| December 26

| Indiana

| {{NBA game|date=20151226|id=INDMIN|pf=88|pa=102}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (8)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Target Center
15,076

| 11–19

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 31

| December 28

| @ San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20151228|id=MINSAS|pf=95|pa=101}}

| Andrew Wiggins (18)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (14)

| AT&T Center
18,493

| 11–20

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 32

| December 30

| Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20151230|id=UTAMIN|pf=94|pa=80}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (17)

| Target Center
14,326

| 12–20

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 33

| December 31

| @ Detroit

| {{NBA game|date=20151231|id=MINDET|pf=90|pa=115}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (22)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Palace of Auburn Hills
15,475

| 12–21

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|January

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 6

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 8

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 34

| January 2

| Milwaukee

| {{NBA game|date=20160102|id=MILMIN|pf=85|pa=95}}

| Andrew Wiggins (19)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Target Center
14,107

| 12–22

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 35

| January 4

| @ Philadelphia

| {{NBA game|date=20160104|id=MINPHI|pf=99|pa=109}}

| Shabazz Muhammad (20)

| Gorgui Dieng (8)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Wells Fargo Center
14,013

| 12–23

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 36

| January 6

| Denver

| {{NBA game|date=20160106|id=DENMIN|pf=74|pa=78}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Target Center
12,059

| 12–24

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 37

| January 8

| Cleveland

| {{NBA game|date=20160108|id=CLEMIN|pf=99|pa=125}}

| Andrew Wiggins (35)

| Dieng, Towns (6)

| Ricky Rubio (6)

| Target Center
16,768

| 12–25

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 38

| January 10

| Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20160110|id=DALMIN|pf=87|pa=93}}

| Andrew Wiggins (21)

| Dieng, Rubio, Wiggins (6)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Target Center
14,363

| 12–26

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 39

| January 12

| Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20160112|id=OKCMIN|pf=96|pa=101}}

| Andrew Wiggins (22)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (6)

| Target Center
14,791

| 12–27

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 40

| January 13

| @ Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20160113|id=OKCMIN|pf=104|pa=107}}

| Andrew Wiggins (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (16)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Toyota Center
17,115

| 12–28

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 41

| January 15

| @ Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=201601215|id=MINOKC|pf=93|pa=113}}

| Andrew Wiggins (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Nemanja Bjelica (4)

| Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203

| 12–29

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 42

| January 17

| Phoenix

| {{NBA game|date=20160117|id=PHXMIN|pf=117|pa=87}}

| Rubio, Wiggins (18)

| Muhammad, Towns (8)

| Andrew Wiggins (4)

| Target Center
14,330

| 13–29

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 43

| January 19

| @ New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20160119|id=MINNOP|pf=99|pa=114}}

| Andrew Wiggins (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| LaVine, Rubio (4)

| Smoothie King Center
14,255

| 13–30

|-style="background:#fbb;"

| 44

| January 20

| @ Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20160120|id=MINDAL|pf=94|pa=106|ot=1}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (27)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (17)

| Ricky Rubio (11)

| American Airlines Center
19,621

| 13–31

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 45

| January 23

| Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20160123|id=MEMMIN|pf=106|pa=101}}

| Shabazz Muhammad (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Target Center
15,608

| 14–31

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 46

| January 25

| @ Cleveland

| {{NBA game|date=20160125|id=MINCLE|pf=107|pa=114}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (26)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Quicken Loans Arena
20,562

| 14–32

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 47

| January 27

| Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20160127|id=OKCMIN|pf=123|pa=126}}

| Zach LaVine (35)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Target Center
13,337

| 14–33

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 48

| January 29

| @ Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20160129|id=MINUTA|pf=90|pa=103}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (32)

| Gorgui Dieng (15)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Vivint Smart Home Arena
18,850

| 14–34

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 49

| January 31

| @ Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20160131|id=MINPOR|pf=93|pa=96}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (21)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Moda Center
19,393

| 14–35

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|February

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 50

| February 2

| @ L. A. Lakers

| {{NBA game|date=20160202|id=MINLAL|pf=115|pa=119}}

| Andrew Wiggins (30)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Ricky Rubio (15)

| Staples Center
18,997

| 14–36

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 51

| February 3

| @ L. A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20160203|id=MINLAC|pf=108|pa=102}}

| Andrew Wiggins (31)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Staples Center
19,060

| 15–36

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 52

| February 6

| Chicago

| {{NBA game|date=20160206|id=CHIMIN|pf=112|pa=105}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (26)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (17)

| Gorgui Dieng (7)

| Target Center
17,876

| 16–36

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 53

| February 8

| New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20160208|id=NOPMIN|pf=102|pa=116}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (17)

| Dieng, Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Target Center
11,926

| 16–37

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 54

| February 10

| Toronto

| {{NBA game|date=20160210|id=TORMIN|pf=107|pa=102}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (35)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Target Center
11,171

| 17–37

|- align="center"

|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 55

| February 19

| @ Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20160219|id=MINMEM|pf=104|pa=109}}

| Zach LaVine (22)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (15)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| FedExForum
18,119

| 17–38

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 56

| February 20

| New York

| {{NBA game|date=20160220|id=NYKMIN|pf=95|pa=103}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (8)

| Ricky Rubio (16)

| Target Center
16,663

| 17–39

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 57

| February 22

| Boston

| {{NBA game|date=20160222|id=BOSMIN|pf=124|pa=122}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (13)

| Ricky Rubio (8)

| Target Center
11,639

| 18–39

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 58

| February 24

| @ Toronto

| {{NBA game|date=20160222|id=BOSMIN|pf=105|pa=114}}

| Andrew Wiggins (26)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (8)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Air Canada Centre
19,800

| 18–40

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 59

| February 27

| @ New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20160227|id=MINNOP|pf=112|pa=110}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (30)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (15)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Smoothie King Center
17,338

| 19–40

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 60

| February 28

| @ Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20160228|id=MINDAL|pf=101|pa=128}}

| Shabazz Muhammad (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Tyus Jones (6)

| American Airlines Center
20,289

| 19–41

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|March

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 5

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 61

| March 2

| Washington

| {{NBA game|date=20160302|id=WASMIN|pf=98|pa=104}}

| Ricky Rubio (22)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (15)

| Dieng, Towns (5)

| Target Center
11,307

| 19–42

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 62

| March 4

| @ Milwaukee

| {{NBA game|date=20160304|id=MINMIL|pf=101|pa=116}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (21)

| Gorgui Dieng (9)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| BMO Harris Bradley Center
16,366

| 19–43

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 63

| March 5

| Brooklyn

| {{NBA game|date=20160305|id=BKNMIN|pf=132|pa=118}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (28)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Target Center
15,987

| 20–43

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 64

| March 7

| @ Charlotte

| {{NBA game|date=20160307|id=MINCHA|pf=103|pa=108}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (14)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Time Warner Cable Arena
15,912

| 20–44

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 65

| March 8

| San Antonio

| {{NBA game|date=20160308|id=SASMIN|pf=91|pa=116}}

| Andrew Wiggins (23)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Tyus Jones (6)

| Target Center
14,093

| 20–45

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 66

| March 11

| @ Oklahoma City

| {{NBA game|date=20160311|id=MINOKC|pf=99|pa=96}}

| Gorgui Dieng (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203

| 21–45

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 67

| March 14

| @ Phoenix

| {{NBA game|date=20160314|id=MINPHX|pf=104|pa=107}}

| Zach LaVine (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (17)

| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,480

| 21–46

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 68

| March 16

| @ Memphis

| {{NBA game|date=20160316|id=MINMEM|pf=114|pa=108}}

| Zach LaVine (28)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| FedExForum
16,588

| 22–46

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 69

| March 18

| @ Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20160318|id=MINHOU|pf=111|pa=116}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (32)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (6)

| Toyota Center
18,142

| 22–47

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 70

| March 21

| Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20160321|id=GSWMIN|pf=104|pa=109}}

| Andrew Wiggins (25)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (11)

| Target Center
19,452

| 22–48

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 71

| March 23

| Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20160323|id=SACMIN|pf=113|pa=104}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (26)

| Gorgui Dieng (12)

| Ricky Rubio (12)

| Target Center
12,151

| 23–48

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 72

| March 25

| @ Washington

| {{NBA game|date=20160325|id=MINWAS|pf=132|pa=129|ot=2}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (27)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (7)

| Verizon Center
20,356

| 24–48

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 73

| March 26

| Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20160326|id=UTAMIN|pf=84|pa=93}}

| Ricky Rubio (23)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (6)

| Target Center
14,694

| 24–49

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 74

| March 28

| Phoenix

| {{NBA game|date=20160328|id=PHXMIN|pf=121|pa=116}}

| Andrew Wiggins (32)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (10)

| Ricky Rubio (11)

| Target Center
11,141

| 25–49

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 75

| March 30

| L. A. Clippers

| {{NBA game|date=20160330|id=LALMIN|pf=79|pa=99}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (16)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Zach LaVine (4)

| Target Center
12,252

| 25–50

{{NBA game log section|Minnesota Timberwolves|April

| home_wins = 1

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 76

| April 1

| @ Utah

| {{NBA game|date=20160401|id=MINUTA|pf=85|pa=98}}

| Andrew Wiggins (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (11)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Vivint Smart Home Arena
19,911

| 25–51

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 77

| April 3

| Dallas

| {{NBA game|date=20160403|id=DALMIN|pf=78|pa=88}}

| Andrew Wiggins (30)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (21)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (9)

| Target Center
16,117

| 25–52

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 78

| April 5

| @ Golden State

| {{NBA game|date=20160405|id=MINGSW|pf=124|pa=117|ot=1}}

| Shabazz Muhammad (35)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Oracle Arena
19,596

| 26–52

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 79

| April 7

| @ Sacramento

| {{NBA game|date=20160407|id=MINSAC|pf=105|pa=97}}

| Nemanja Bjelica (18)

| Gorgui Dieng (13)

| Ricky Rubio (9)

| Sleep Train Arena
17,317

| 27–52

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 80

| April 9

| @ Portland

| {{NBA game|date=20160409|id=MINPOR|pf=106|pa=105}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (27)

| Nemanja Bjelica (10)

| Ricky Rubio (11)

| Moda Center
19,733

| 28–52

|- style="background:#fbb;"

| 81

| April 11

| Houston

| {{NBA game|date=20160411|id=HOUMIN|pf=105|pa=129}}

| Shabazz Muhammad (23)

| Nemanja Bjelica (6)

| Jones, Rubio (5)

| Target Center
14,983

| 28–53

|- style="background:#bfb;"

| 82

| April 13

| New Orleans

| {{NBA game|date=20160413|id=NOPMIN|pf=144|pa=109}}

| Karl-Anthony Towns (24)

| Karl-Anthony Towns (12)

| Ricky Rubio (10)

| Target Center
14,889

| 29–53

{{NBA game log end|min|end_year=2016}}

Player statistics

=Regular season=

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:right;"
style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|Player

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| POS | Position}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| GP | Games played}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| GS | Games starter}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| MP | Minutes played}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| REB | Rebounds}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| AST | Assists}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| STL | Steals}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| BLK | Blocks}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| PTS | Points}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| MPG | Minutes per game}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| RPG | Rebounds per game}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| APG | Assists per game}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| SPG | Steals per game}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| BPG | Blocks per game}}

! style="background:#236192; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#010101 3px solid; border-bottom:#010101 3px solid;"|{{Abbr| PPG | Points per game}}

style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Karl-Anthony|Towns}}style="text-align:center;"|C

| style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|82

style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|822,627style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|85816158style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|1381,50332.0style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|10.52.0.7style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|1.718.3
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Gorgui|Dieng}}style="text-align:center;"|C

| style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|82

392,220585143949682727.17.11.71.11.210.1
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Zach|LaVine}}style="text-align:center;"|SG

| style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|82

332,29422825169171,15028.02.83.1.8.214.0
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Shabazz|Muhammad}}style="text-align:center;"|SF

| style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|82

01,6822675224786320.53.3.6.3.110.5
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Andrew|Wiggins}}style="text-align:center;"|SF

| 81

81style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|2,8452911647846style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|1,675style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|35.13.62.01.0.6style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|20.7
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Tayshaun|Prince}}style="text-align:center;"|SF

| 77

441,46214773361322119.01.9.9.5.22.9
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Ricky|Rubio}}style="text-align:center;"|PG

| 76

762,323326style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|658style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|1621076630.64.3style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|8.7style="background:#010101; color:#8D9093;"|2.1.110.1
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Nemanja|Bjelica}}style="text-align:center;"|PF

| 60

01,07521083262130817.93.51.4.4.45.1
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Adreian|Payne}}style="text-align:center;"|PF

| 52

24861112916111329.32.1.6.3.22.5
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Kevin|Martin|dab=basketball, born 1983}}†style="text-align:center;"|SG

| 39

12834814617141521.42.11.2.4.010.6
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Kevin|Garnett}}style="text-align:center;"|PF

| 38

3855615062281012214.63.91.6.7.33.2
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Tyus|Jones}}style="text-align:center;"|PG

| 37

05734710831315615.51.32.9.8.14.2
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Damjan|Rudež}}style="text-align:center;"|SF

| 33

0277201131758.4.6.3.1.02.3
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Andre|Miller}}†style="text-align:center;"|PG

| 26

02802458908810.8.92.2.3.03.4
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Greg|Smith|dab=basketball, born 1991}}style="text-align:center;"|PF

| 18

0192426414310.72.3.3.2.12.4
style="text-align:left;"|{{sortname|Nikola|Peković}}style="text-align:center;"|C

| 12

31562111105413.01.8.9.1.04.5

{{Plainlist|

  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

}}

Transactions

{{main|List of 2015–16 NBA season transactions}}

=Trades=

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align: center; width: 100%" bordercolor="#DFDFDF" cellpadding="5"
bgcolor="eeeeee"

| style="width:12%" | July 12, 2015

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Minnesota Timberwolves{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/rudez-budinger-trade-announcement|title=Pacers Acquire Budinger From Minnesota In Exchange For Rudez|work=nba.com/pacers|date=July 12, 2015|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}

Damjan Rudez

| style="width:44%" valign="top"| To Indiana Pacers

Chase Budinger

=Free agents=

==Re-signed==

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Signed

style="text-align: center"

| Kevin Garnett{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-re-sign-forward-kevin-garnett|title=Timberwolves Re-Sign Forward Kevin Garnett|work=nba.com/timberwolves|date=July 11, 2015|accessdate=July 11, 2015}}

| Signed 2-year contract worth $16.5 million

==Additions==

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Signed

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Former Team

style="text-align: center"

| Nemanja Bjelica{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-sign-reigning-euroleague-most-valuable-player-nemanja-bjelica|title=Timberwolves Sign Reigning Euroleague Most Valuable Player Nemanja Bjelica|work=nba.com/timberwolves|date=July 14, 2015|accessdate=July 14, 2015}}

| Signed 3-year contract worth $12 million

| {{flagicon|TUR}} Fenerbahçe Ülker

style="text-align: center"

| Andre Miller{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-sign-andre-miller|title=Timberwolves Sign Andre Miller|work=nba.com/timberwolves|date=August 3, 2015|accessdate=August 3, 2015}}

| Signed 1-year contract

| Sacramento Kings

style="text-align: center"

| Tayshaun Prince{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-sign-tayshaun-prince|title=Timberwolves Sign Tayshaun Prince|work=nba.com/timberwolves|date=August 20, 2015|accessdate=August 20, 2015}}

| Signed 1-year contract worth $1.5 million

| Detroit Pistons

==Subtractions==

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| Reason Left

! style="{{NBA color cell|Minnesota Timberwolves}}" width="10%"| New Team

style="text-align: center"

| Gary Neal{{cite news|url=http://wizardsmysticstoday.monumentalnetwork.com/2015/07/09/wizards-sign-gary-neal|title=WIZARDS SIGN GARY NEAL|work=wizardsmysticstoday.monumentalnetwork.com|date=July 9, 2015|accessdate=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185624/http://wizardsmysticstoday.monumentalnetwork.com/2015/07/09/wizards-sign-gary-neal|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

| Signed 1-year contract worth $2.1 million

| Washington Wizards

style="text-align: center"

| Robbie Hummel{{cite news|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/68ltn6glb9nrdshq|title=EA7 Milan signs power forward Hummel|work=euroleague.net|date=July 31, 2015|accessdate=July 31, 2015}}

| Signed 1-year contract

| {{flagicon|ITA}} Emporio Armani Milano

Notes

{{note label|20|a|a}}That mark was shattered by the 2016-17 Phoenix Suns, who, in addition to holding four rookies between the ages of 18 and 20 to start out the season in Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis, and the undrafted Derrick Jones Jr., also held a second-year player named Devin Booker that played at the start of the season at age 19.

{{note label|San Diego|b|b}}The team originally played in Buffalo, New York as the Buffalo Braves up to the end of the 1977–78 season and later played in San Diego as the San Diego Clippers between the 1978–79 and 1983–84 seasons inclusive before becoming the Los Angeles Clippers.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Minnesota Timberwolves}}

{{Minnesota Timberwolves seasons}}

{{2015–16 NBA season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2015-16 Minnesota Timberwolves season}}

Category:Minnesota Timberwolves seasons

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves