Shaq Joins the Pack: Minnesota Timberwolves Jordan Era MyNBA

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Platform: PS5
Game: NBA 2K26
Rosters: Tymmie21
Sliders: Stumpy's 2K25 CPUvCPU & Simulation Sliders

Premise:
I simulated the 1991-1992 season with the full intention of portraying this storyline from the team who won the #1 overall pick and, therefore, won the Shaq Lottery. While the Heat (13-69) and the Magic (14-68) finished with worse records, it was the 17-65 Timberwolves who won the draft lottery. After grabbing Shaq, I decided I wanted to simulate one more season to, hopefully, get a high enough draft pick to land a top prospect in the 1993 draft class.

Starting in the 1993-1994 season, I plan on mixing sim+playing games. Primarily, as I've done in the past, I will mostly SuperSim the first three quarters -- if the game is within 10 points (either way) in the 4th, I will jump in and play the rest of the game. I will post at least scaled down boxscores of many games, but not all.

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Around the NBA

Postseason Summaries
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Award Winners
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League Leaders
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Minnesota Timberwolves Season Summaries
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1991-1992 NBA Standings

NBA Standings - Updated: Apr 15, 1992
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Chicago Bulls	70	12	--	10.5
New York Knicks	67	15	3.0	12.8
Philadelphia 76ers	62	20	8.0	13.0
Cleveland Cavaliers	58	24	12.0	9.5
Atlanta Hawks	44	38	26.0	0.5
Indiana Pacers	43	39	27.0	2.4
Washington Bullets	43	39	27.0	0.8
Boston Celtics	39	43	31.0	-1.0
New Jersey Nets	39	43	31.0	0.2
Detroit Pistons	35	47	35.0	-2.9
Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	37.0	-1.3
Charlotte Hornets	20	62	50.0	-7.0
Orlando Magic	14	68	56.0	-13.9
Miami Heat	13	69	57.0	-18.1
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Portland Trail Blazers	60	22	--	10.8
Utah Jazz	57	25	3.0	9.9
Seattle SuperSonics	54	28	6.0	5.8
San Antonio Spurs	51	31	9.0	7.7
Houston Rockets	51	31	9.0	3.1
Los Angeles Clippers	48	34	12.0	4.3
Los Angeles Lakers	47	35	13.0	2.6
Golden State Warriors	34	48	26.0	-3.9
Phoenix Suns	34	48	26.0	-2.3
Sacramento Kings	33	49	27.0	-4.8
Denver Nuggets	27	55	33.0	-7.6
Dallas Mavericks	16	66	44.0	-16.4
Minnesota Timberwolves	15	67	45.0	-14.5

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A Giant Awakens in Minnesota: Wolves Snag Shaquille O’Neal

Minneapolis Star Tribune — June 24, 1992

The long, cold winters in Minnesota might finally have some warmth on the horizon — and it comes in the form of a 7-foot-1, 300-pound phenomenon out of LSU.

On May 17th, the Minnesota Timberwolves, against modest odds, won the 1992 NBA Draft Lottery. On draft night, their dream became reality as they made the most of their good fortune by selecting Shaquille O’Neal with the No. 1 overall pick, a move that could change the trajectory of the franchise forever.

For a team still searching for an identity just three seasons into existence, the selection of O’Neal represents more than just a new face of the franchise — it’s hope, relevance, and dominance all wrapped into one.

“We believe we’ve just drafted a generational player,” said Timberwolves GM Jack McCloskey. “Shaquille gives us a foundation unlike anything we’ve ever had — or maybe anything the league has seen in years.”

A Stroke of Lottery Luck
The Timberwolves entered the lottery with the third-best odds, behind the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, after enduring a brutal 15–67 campaign. But when the final envelope was revealed, Minnesota’s logo was the one that emerged, sparking disbelief and elation inside the team’s draft room.

“I didn’t even believe it when I saw our card,” head coach Jimmy Rodgers admitted with a grin. “But once I realized it was real, I knew exactly who we were taking.”

A Franchise Cornerstone
O’Neal, just 20 years old, arrives with a résumé that reads like something out of a comic book. At LSU, he was a dominant force, averaging 24.1 points, 14 rebounds, and nearly 5 blocks per game in his final season. His combination of power, quickness, and charisma has already drawn comparisons to legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — and the Timberwolves are betting their future that those comparisons hold true.

Minnesota fans, who have endured three years of rebuilding, false starts, and forgettable basketball, now have a reason to fill the Target Center. O’Neal’s presence instantly changes expectations for the franchise and provides a superstar for the city to rally around.

“I want to bring winning basketball to Minnesota,” O’Neal said at his introductory press conference, flashing his trademark grin. “I want to make this team something the league’s never seen before — and I’m ready to get to work.”

Analysts around the league are already buzzing about the Timberwolves’ potential. With Shaq patrolling the paint, the Timberwolves suddenly look less like an expansion experiment and more like a sleeping giant ready to awaken.

For now, though, the city of Minneapolis is simply celebrating a moment years in the making — a stroke of luck and a bold step into basketball’s brightest future.

“Every franchise dreams of landing a player like this,” McCloskey said. “For us, that dream just came true.”

1992 NBA Draft Results

1992 NBA Draft - 1st Round Recap
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Shaquille O'Neal	C	7'1"	300
2	Charlotte Hornets	Alonzo Mourning	C/PF	6'10"	240
3	Miami Heat	Christian Laettner	PF/C	6'11"	235
4	Dallas Mavericks	Latrell Sprewell	SF/SG	6'5"	190
5	Orlando Magic	P.J. Brown	PF/C	6'11"	225
6	Denver Nuggets	Robert Horry	PF/SF	6'10"	240
7	Charlotte Hornets	Jim Jackson	SG/SF	6'6"	220
8	Sacramento Kings	LaPhonso Ellis	PF/SF	6'8"	240
9	Phoenix Suns	Tom Gugliotta	PF/SF	6'10"	240
10	Detroit Pistons	Todd Day	SG	6'6"	188
11	Denver Nuggets	Doug Christie	SG/SF	6'6"	200
12	Golden State Warriors	Clarence Weatherspoon	PF/SF	6'7"	240
13	Milwaukee Bucks	Walt Williams	SF	6'8"	219
14	Washington Bullets	Harold Miner	SG	6'5"	210
15	Indiana Pacers	Sean Rooks	C	6'10"	250
16	Atlanta Hawks	Anthony Peeler	SG	6'4"	208
17	Los Angeles Lakers	Bryant Stith	SG	6'5"	208
18	Los Angeles Clippers	Sasha Danilovic	SG	6'5"	200
19	Houston Rockets	Malik Sealy	SF	6'8"	190
20	San Antonio Spurs	Don MacLean	SF/PF	6'10"	235
21	Seattle SuperSonics	David Wesley	PG/SG	6'0"	190
22	Utah Jazz	Hubert Davis	SG/PG	6'5"	183
23	Los Angeles Clippers	Lee Mayberry	PG	6'1"	172
24	Portland Trail Blazers	Chris Jent	SF	6'7"	200
25	Philadelphia 76ers	Tracy Murray	SF	6'7"	225
26	New York Knicks	Byron Houston	PF	6'5"	250
27	Chicago Bulls	Oliver Miller	C/PF	6'9"	280

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Malone Drops 50, Jazz Topple T-Wolves in Shaq's Debut

Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1) at Utah Jazz (1-0)
Oct 30, 1992 1 2 3 4 Final Minnesota 26 34 30 29 119 Utah 33 27 38 34 132 Top Performers Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 28 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk Pooh Richardson - 24 pts, 9 ast, 4 reb Utah Jazz Karl Malone - 50 pts, 11 reb, 7 ast John Stockton - 18 pts, 20 ast, 2 reb, 1 stl	Team Stats Comparison MIN UTH FG Made-Att 54/101 51/91 3PT Made-Att 2/3 5/10 FT Made-Att 9/16 25/29 Rebounds 36 33 Assists 29 38 Turnovers 11 11 Steals 2 3 Blocks 4 2
Minnesota Timberwolves STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Karl Malone 39 20/31 1/2 9/11 11 7 0 0 1 50 John Stockton 38 7/12 2/4 2/3 2 20 0 0 2 18 Jeff Malone 33 9/16 0/0 2/2 0 1 2 0 3 20 Blue Edwards 32 5/9 2/4 4/4 4 1 1 1 2 16 Mark Eaton 30 4/8 0/0 0/0 9 1 0 1 0 8 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Isaac Austin 17 0/3 0/0 2/2 2 1 0 0 0 2 David Benoit 16 2/3 0/0 6/7 2 1 0 0 1 10 Tyrone Corbin 15 3/6 0/0 0/0 1 1 0 0 0 6 Eric Murdock 13 1/3 0/0 0/0 2 5 0 0 2 2
Utah Jazz STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Shaquille O'Neal 33 13/21 0/0 2/4 9 2 1 1 3 28 Pooh Richardson 33 11/16 2/2 0/2 4 9 0 0 0 24 Tony Campbell 32 5/11 0/0 2/2 1 2 0 0 0 12 Thurl Bailey 32 4/9 0/0 3/3 6 4 0 1 1 11 Doug West 31 3/8 0/0 0/0 0 4 1 1 2 6 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Sam Mitchell 18 4/8 0/0 0/0 4 1 0 0 1 8 Felton Spencer 17 3/6 0/0 0/0 5 2 0 1 0 6 Hunter Workman 15 6/10 0/1 0/0 2 4 0 0 0 12 Ledell Eackles 15 5/11 0/0 2/3 2 2 0 0 4 12 Gerald Glass 15 0/1 0/0 2/2 3 1 0 0 0 2

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1992-1993 NBA Season Recap

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The 1992–93 NBA season marked the dawn of a new era in Minnesota, as the Timberwolves hit the reset button with the arrival of Shaquille O’Neal, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. While wins were still hard to come by in the rugged Western Conference, the 20-year-old phenom gave Timberwolves fans something they’ve never truly had before — a true franchise cornerstone.

Shaq Makes an Immediate Impact
From his first game, O’Neal made it clear he belonged among the league’s elite big men. He averaged 20.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 55.4% from the field while anchoring the defense. His combination of power, touch, and defensive instincts transformed Minnesota’s front line overnight.

His advanced metrics back up the hype: a PER of 23.4 and an Estimated Wins Added (EWA) of 14.6 — the kind of numbers that usually belong to established All-Stars, not rookies. Though Alonzo Mourning ultimately took home Rookie of the Year honors for the Charlotte Hornets, O’Neal was a clear runner-up and gave the Wolves a foundation to build around for years to come.

Around the League: Bulls Reign Again
The rest of the NBA was once again defined by Michael Jordan’s dominance, as the Chicago Bulls captured their third straight NBA championship. Jordan claimed both MVP and Finals MVP honors, averaging 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game in the Finals rematch against the Portland Trail Blazers — a 4–2 Chicago victory.

David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs anchored the league’s top defense en route to Defensive Player of the Year, while Alonzo Mourning led Charlotte’s playoff push to earn Rookie of the Year.

Out West, the 4-seed Portland Trail Blazers outlasted the 2-seed Seattle SuperSonics in a six-game Western Conference Finals, setting up another duel with Jordan and the Bulls that ultimately went Chicago’s way once again.

Looking Ahead
For Minnesota, the 1992–93 season will be remembered as the beginning of the Shaq era; a campaign of growing pains, yes, but also of renewed hope. With O’Neal already producing at an All-Star level and the organization positioned for another high lottery pick, the Timberwolves’ long-term outlook has never been brighter. The foundation is in place. Now it’s on the front office to build a roster worthy of their new franchise centerpiece.

1993 NBA Draft Recap

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The ping-pong balls fell into place for the Dallas Mavericks, who won the 1993 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the rights to Michigan star Chris Webber. The Washington Bullets landed the second pick, selecting versatile playmaker Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway out of Memphis.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, holding the third overall pick, used the selection to address their biggest need — a true point guard — by drafting Sam Cassell, a 6'3", 185-pound floor leader from Florida State known for his poise, clutch shooting, and court vision. Cassell is expected to immediately step in as the team’s primary ball-handler alongside Shaq, forming a young inside-out duo that could anchor the franchise for years to come. Top 10 Picks – 1993 NBA Draft

1. Dallas Mavericks → Chris Webber, PF/C, Michigan (6’10”, 245 lbs)
2. Washington Bullets → Anfernee Hardaway, PG/SG, Memphis (6’7”, 195 lbs)
3. Minnesota Timberwolves → Sam Cassell, PG, Florida State (6’3”, 185 lbs)
4. Sacramento Kings → Vin Baker, PF/C, Hartford (6’11”, 232 lbs)
5. Miami Heat → Jamal Mashburn, SF, Kentucky (6’8”, 240 lbs)
6. Philadelphia 76ers → Allan Houston, SG, Tennessee (6’6”, 200 lbs)
7. Milwaukee Bucks → Nick Van Exel, PG, Cincinnati (6’1”, 170 lbs)
8. Orlando Magic → Bruce Bowen, SF, Cal State Fullerton (6’7”, 185 lbs)
9. Los Angeles Clippers → Shawn Bradley, C, BYU (7’6”, 235 lbs)
10. Denver Nuggets → Isaiah Rider, SG, UNLV (6’5”, 215 lbs)

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Looking Ahead: A Backcourt for the Big Fella
With Cassell now in the fold, the Timberwolves have the beginnings of a modern, balanced roster — a dominant low-post scorer paired with a confident, cerebral floor general. While the Wolves remain a work in progress, the combination of O’Neal’s dominance and Cassell’s leadership gives Minnesota legitimate reason to believe that better days are ahead.

The foundation is in place. The rebuild is underway. The Shaq era has officially found its point guard.

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1993-1994 NBA Season Recap

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1993–94 Season Recap: Wolves Struggle, Shaq Shines Through Adversity, and Bulls 4-Peat

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 1993–94 NBA season with cautious optimism. After a rookie campaign that established Shaquille O’Neal as one of the league’s brightest young stars and the addition of rookie point guard Sam Cassell, Minnesota hoped to take another step toward respectability. Instead, injuries and inconsistency dragged the Wolves to one of the NBA’s toughest seasons, even as their young cornerstone continued to evolve into a full-fledged superstar.

Shaq’s Second-Year Surge
In his sophomore season, O’Neal took another statistical leap forward, averaging 22.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, leading the league in rebounding and posting new career highs nearly across the board. His PER rose to 24.1, and his Estimated Wins Added (EWA) jumped to 19.0, confirming his growing dominance as both an interior scorer and defensive anchor.

Despite missing 15 games with a hamstring injury, O’Neal’s impact was undeniable. He was rewarded with his first career All-Star selection and capped off the year by earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award — the first major individual accolade in Timberwolves history.

“He’s already one of the best centers in the game,” said one Western Conference coach. “If he stays healthy, it's only a matter of time before his team takes off and becomes a perennial contender.”

Cassell Holds His Own in Rookie Campaign
First-year point guard Sam Cassell, the third overall pick in the 1993 draft, proved a steady hand amid a turbulent season. The Florida State product averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, showing veteran-level confidence and leadership. Cassell’s pick-and-roll chemistry with O’Neal gave Minnesota flashes of what could become one of the league’s more dynamic inside-out duos.

Still, the roster around them remained shallow. Minnesota struggled mightily without Shaq’s presence in the paint, enduring multiple losing streaks and closing the year with a 16–66 record, the second-worst mark in the league, ahead of only the 14–68 Milwaukee Bucks.

While Minnesota took its lumps, the rest of the NBA belonged to the Chicago Bulls dynasty — now led by Scottie Pippen, who captured league MVP honors while guiding the Bulls to a record-breaking 71–11 season, the best in NBA history.

Phil Jackson was named Coach of the Year, while Chris Webber of the Dallas Mavericks lived up to his No. 1 overall pick billing, earning Rookie of the Year honors. David Robinson claimed his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award, further cementing his reputation as one of the game’s premier two-way forces.

O’Neal’s breakout was recognized league-wide as he joined the elite on the All-NBA Second Team, a remarkable accomplishment for a 21-year-old center on a rebuilding squad.

1993–94 All-NBA Teams

First Team:

• Michael Jordan (Bulls)
• Clyde Drexler (Trail Blazers)
• Scottie Pippen (Bulls)
• Karl Malone (Jazz)
• Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets)

Second Team:

• Reggie Miller (Pacers)
• Tim Hardaway (Warriors)
• Shawn Kemp (SuperSonics)
• Chris Webber (Mavericks)
• Shaquille O’Neal (Timberwolves)

Third Team:

• Mookie Blaylock (Nets)
• John Stockton (Jazz)
• Charles Barkley (Suns)
• Vin Baker (Kings)
• Patrick Ewing (Knicks)

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Playoffs: Bulls Sweep to a Fourth Straight Title

The postseason saw no surprises at the top. The Chicago Bulls continued their reign, capturing their fourth consecutive NBA championship with a 4–0 sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the Finals.

The Bulls also swept the Charlotte Hornets 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, while in the West, Phoenix outlasted the Seattle SuperSonics in six games to reach their second Finals appearance in three years.

Jordan and Pippen once again proved unstoppable on the biggest stage, cementing Chicago’s dynasty as perhaps the most dominant in league history.

Looking Ahead: A Tough Lesson, A Bright Future
Though the 1993–94 campaign was a season of frustration for Minnesota, the year still offered important building blocks. O’Neal’s continued rise into superstardom and Cassell’s promising rookie campaign give the Timberwolves a foundation few rebuilding teams can match.

The priority now is simple: add depth, improve health, and surround the young duo with reliable perimeter scoring and defensive help.

For the Timberwolves, the climb remains steep — but the cornerstones are in place. If Shaq and Cassell continue their trajectory, brighter days may be just over the horizon in Minnesota.

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After a frustrating 16–66 campaign marred by injuries and inconsistency, the Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 1994 NBA offseason with a clear mandate: find a franchise-caliber wing to pair with Shaquille O’Neal and Sam Cassell. The draft lottery offered that chance, and when the ping-pong balls settled, the Timberwolves struck gold.

Bullets Win Lottery, Wolves Land No. 2 Pick
The Washington Bullets won the 1994 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the top pick in a two-star race between Jason Kidd and Grant Hill, the consensus best players available. The Timberwolves landed the No. 2 selection, while the struggling Milwaukee Bucks settled at No. 3.

With the first pick, Washington selected Kidd, the brilliant 6’4” floor general from California known for his passing vision, tempo control, and leadership. That left Minnesota with a dream scenario: the chance to draft Grant Hill, the 6’8” do-it-all forward from Duke University whose versatility, athleticism, and polish made him one of the most NBA-ready prospects in years.

Timberwolves Get Their Star Wing
The Wolves wasted no time turning in the card:
No. 2 overall — Grant Hill, SF, Duke (6’8”, 225 lbs)

Hill, a two-time NCAA champion and Naismith finalist, brings an elite blend of skill and maturity to Minnesota’s young core. He’s expected to slot in as the starting small forward from day one, giving the Wolves a long, athletic playmaker who can score, rebound, and facilitate.

Paired with O’Neal and Cassell, Hill forms what could be one of the league’s most promising young trios — a true “big three” in the making.

“He’s the perfect complement to Shaq and Sam,” said Timberwolves GM in a post-draft press conference. “Hill’s all-around game fits our identity — smart, unselfish, and competitive. We couldn’t be happier.”

Wolves Add Another Weapon at No. 10
Minnesota wasn’t done. Thanks to a pre-existing trade, the Wolves also held the No. 10 pick, which they used to select Wesley Person, a sharpshooting 6’6” guard-forward from Auburn known for his smooth perimeter jumper and defensive tenacity.

Person projects as an instant contributor off the bench and could earn rotation minutes as the Wolves continue to seek reliable outside shooting to space the floor for O’Neal.

1994 NBA Draft – Top 10 Picks

1. Washington Bullets → Jason Kidd, PG, California (6’4”, 205 lbs)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves → Grant Hill, SF, Duke (6’8”, 225 lbs)
3. Milwaukee Bucks → Glenn Robinson, SF, Purdue (6’7”, 225 lbs)
4. Detroit Pistons → Eddie Jones, SG/SF, Temple (6’6”, 190 lbs)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Celtics) → Juwan Howard, PF/SF, Michigan (6’9”, 240 lbs)
6. Sacramento Kings → Jalen Rose, SF/PG, Michigan (6’8”, 210 lbs)
7. Detroit Pistons → Donyell Marshall, PF/SF, Connecticut (6’9”, 218 lbs)
8. Philadelphia 76ers → Brian Grant, PF/C, Xavier (6’9”, 254 lbs)
9. Orlando Magic → Lamond Murray, SF, California (6’7”, 236 lbs)
10. Minnesota Timberwolves → Wesley Person, SG/SF, Auburn (6’6”, 195 lbs)

League Outlook: A New Generation Arrives
With Kidd, Hill, Robinson, Webber, and O’Neal all now in the league, the NBA enters a new era of youthful star power. The 1994 draft class, rich with versatile forwards and polished playmakers, is expected to reshape the landscape of both conferences within the next few seasons.

For Minnesota, the message is clear: the rebuild is no longer theoretical, it’s happening in real time.

With a 22-year-old Shaq anchoring the paint, Cassell commanding the backcourt, and Grant Hill joining the fold as a future All-Star in waiting, the Timberwolves’ path forward has never looked brighter. The Wolves are still young, still learning, and still climbing; but for the first time, the pieces are truly falling into place.

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Minnesota Timberwolves 1994-1995 Roster

Minnesota Timberwolves 1994-1995 Roster
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
1	Chris Childs	PG	24	6'3"	195	$2.49M
5	Doug West	SG/SF	27	6'6"	200	$3.33M
7	Bobby Phills	SG/SF	25	6'5"	210	$1.90M
9	Danny Ainge	SG/PG	35	6'5"	175	$987K
10	Sam Cassell	PG	23	6'3"	185	$2.38M
11	Wesley Person	SF/SG	23	6'6"	195	$1.87M
17	Bill Curley	PF/SF	22	6'9"	220	$872K
19	Tony Campbell	SF/SG	32	6'7"	215	$1.68M
31	Adam Keefe	PF/C	24	6'9"	230	$1.08M
32	Shaquille O'Neal	C	22	7'1"	300	$5.44M
33	Grant Hill	SF/SG	22	6'8"	225	$2.18M
34	Chris Morris	SF/SG	28	6'8"	210	$1.87M
35	Dale Davis	PF/C	25	6'11"	252	$2.13M
41	Thurl Bailey	PF/SF	33	6'11"	215	$1.00M
50	Felton Spencer	C/PF	26	7'0"	265	$1.58M

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Sonics Outlast Wolves, 128-124
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Seattle SuperSonics (1-0) at Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1)
Oct 28, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Seattle 27 33 32 29 128 Minnesota 29 31 27 37 124 Top Performers Seattle SuperSonics Gary Payton - 10 pts, 15 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl Rony Seikaly - 26 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 29 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk Sam Cassell - 21 pts, 14 ast, 1 reb	Team Stats Comparison SEA MIN FG Made-Att 57/100 52/98 3PT Made-Att 6/14 6/12 FT Made-Att 8/11 14/17 Rebounds 34 39 Assists 39 37 Turnovers 9 19 Steals 12 8 Blocks 6 4
Seattle SuperSonics STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Shaquille O'Neal 36 13/19 0/0 3/5 14 4 1 2 3 29 Grant Hill 33 9/16 2/3 0/0 5 6 1 1 2 20 Sam Cassell 32 9/16 3/7 0/0 1 14 0 0 2 21 Doug West 32 5/9 1/1 3/4 2 4 0 0 2 14 Dale Davis 31 6/11 0/0 0/0 5 2 2 0 1 12 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Thurl Bailey 17 5/8 0/0 5/5 3 1 0 0 1 15 Bobby Phills 16 2/8 0/0 3/3 3 2 1 0 3 7 Chris Childs 16 3/5 0/0 0/0 0 2 2 0 3 6 Wesley Person 15 0/4 0/1 0/0 2 2 1 0 1 0 Felton Spencer 12 0/2 0/0 0/0 4 0 0 1 1 0
Minnesota Timberwolves STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Derrick MCKey 36 8/13 0/0 0/0 5 2 1 1 1 16 Gary Payton 33 4/6 0/0 2/2 3 15 2 0 1 10 Shawn Kemp 33 8/11 0/0 0/0 5 0 2 2 1 16 Benoit Benjamin 30 8/11 0/0 2/3 7 3 0 2 1 18 Drazen Petrovic 29 8/23 1/7 0/0 0 3 1 0 2 17 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Dana Barros 24 5/13 5/7 2/2 5 0 2 1 0 26 Nate McMillan 17 0/1 0/0 1/2 0 7 2 0 1 1 Mitchell Butler 13 1/2 0/0 1/2 5 1 1 0 1 3 Elliot Perry 10 2/2 0/0 0/0 0 4 0 0 1 4

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Houston Rockets (1-1) at Minnesota Timberwolves (0-2)
Oct 29, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Houston 30 30 26 36 122 Minnesota 26 37 21 31 115 Top Performers Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon - 25 pts, 16 reb, 5 blk, 1 stl Mitch Richmond - 24 pts, 8 ast, 4 reb, 1 stl Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 34 pts, 16 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk Grant Hill - 25 pts, 4 ast, 2 reb, 1 stl	Team Stats Comparison HOU MIN FG Made-Att 50/95 48/98 3PT Made-Att 3/6 3/11 FT Made-Att 19/23 16/24 Rebounds 47 42 Assists 30 30 Turnovers 11 9 Steals 5 5 Blocks 6 5

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San Antonio Spurs (1-2) at Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2)
Nov 1, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 30 26 31 20 107 Minnesota 24 29 28 34 115 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs David Robinson - 31 pts, 22 reb, 5 stl, 5 blk Sean Elliott - 21 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 28 pts, 17 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk Sam Cassell - 21 pts, 11 ast, 4 reb, 3 stl	Team Stats Comparison SAS MIN FG Made-Att 44/94 43/85 3PT Made-Att 0/1 5/12 FT Made-Att 19/22 24/32 Rebounds 44 47 Assists 34 30 Turnovers 19 20 Steals 16 12 Blocks 6 3

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Hill, O’Neal Power Timberwolves Past Jazz in High-Scoring Thriller

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 3, 1994) — The Minnesota Timberwolves leaned on their new superstar duo Thursday night, and the results were electric. Grant Hill poured in 35 points and Shaquille O’Neal dominated the paint with 26 points and 17 rebounds as the Timberwolves outlasted the Utah Jazz 130–125 at the Target Center.

The victory evened Minnesota’s record at 2–2, while Utah dropped to 1–2 on the young season.

Minnesota shot 50 percent from the field (48-of-96) and overcame 19 turnovers by controlling the boards, holding a decisive 44–31 rebounding edge. O’Neal’s presence inside proved crucial down the stretch, especially against Karl Malone, who paced Utah with 27 points and nine rebounds.

Hill caught fire early, scoring 18 points by halftime as Minnesota took a slim 70–65 lead into the break. The Jazz briefly surged ahead in the third behind a vintage stretch from John Stockton, who finished with 19 points and 14 assists. But Hill responded with a flurry of mid-range jumpers and transition buckets, while O’Neal sealed the win at the free-throw line in the closing minute.

“We’re starting to find our rhythm,” Hill said afterward. “Shaq draws so much attention inside that it opens up everything for the rest of us.”

Utah actually outshot Minnesota from the field (51-of-95, 53.7%) and from three-point range (5-of-7 to Minnesota’s 3-of-5), but the Timberwolves made up the difference at the line. Minnesota hit 31 of 38 free throws, while Utah managed just 18 of 20.

Jeff Malone added 19 points for Utah, and Elden Campbell provided strong support inside with 17 points and eight boards. Eric Murdock chipped in 12 off the bench, while Stockton orchestrated the offense to near perfection.

Despite the loss, Utah’s offensive efficiency impressed coach Jerry Sloan.

“We shot the ball well enough to win,” Sloan said. “But we didn’t get the stops when we needed them. O’Neal and Hill were too much.”

The Timberwolves’ supporting cast played its part, with guards providing timely defense despite Utah’s 13 steals. Minnesota countered with eight blocked shots (three from O’Neal) and just enough late execution to keep the crowd on its feet.

The Jazz will return home to face Phoenix on Saturday, while the Timberwolves will hit the road for the first time and face the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow night.

Utah Jazz (1-2) at Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2)
Nov 3, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Utah 28 37 23 37 125 Minnesota 32 38 26 34 130 Top Performers Utah Jazz Karl Malone - 27 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast John Stockton - 19 pts, 14 ast, 2 reb, 3 stl Minnesota Timberwolves Grant Hill - 35 pts, 4 ast, 4 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk Shaquille O'Neal - 26 pts, 17 reb, 3 ast, 3 blk	Team Stats Comparison UTH MIN FG Made-Att 51/95 48/96 3PT Made-Att 5/7 3/5 FT Made-Att 18/20 31/38 Rebounds 31 44 Assists 32 29 Turnovers 13 19 Steals 13 5 Blocks 6 8
Utah Jazz STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS John Stockton 40 8/14 1/3 2/2 2 14 3 0 2 19 Karl Malone 36 11/22 0/0 5/5 9 4 1 0 0 27 Jeff Malone 31 9/18 1/1 0/0 1 1 3 0 2 19 Elden Campbell 29 6/8 0/0 5/7 8 0 4 1 2 17 Eric Murdock 27 4/9 2/2 2/2 0 4 1 0 4 12 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Terry Davis 17 1/2 0/0 0/0 3 7 0 1 1 2 Blue Edwards 17 4/8 0/0 0/0 1 0 0 2 1 8 Tom Chambers 12 2/3 0/0 0/0 1 0 0 0 0 4 Matt Geiger 12 0/1 0/0 2/2 4 1 0 1 0 2 Kenny Gattison 12 5/9 0/0 2/2 1 1 1 1 1 12
Minnesota Timberwolves STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Shaquille O'Neal 36 10/18 0/0 6/12 17 3 0 3 1 26 Grant Hill 33 14/24 2/2 5/6 4 4 2 2 2 35 Doug West 33 5/10 0/0 3/3 2 6 1 0 3 13 Sam Cassell 31 3/5 1/1 2/2 2 9 0 0 6 9 Dale Davis 31 1/5 0/0 0/0 6 0 1 1 1 2 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Chris Childs 17 3/7 0/0 4/4 1 3 0 0 3 10 Thurl Bailey 17 1/7 0/0 2/2 8 0 0 1 2 4 Bobby Phills 15 3/6 0/2 0/0 1 1 1 0 1 6 Wesley Person 15 3/6 0/0 5/5 1 2 0 1 0 11 Felton Spencer 12 5/9 0/0 4/4 2 1 0 0 0 14

[hoopla32]

Game #5 | November 4, 1994
Timberwolves-Logo.gif110 |AT| 104 Clippers-Logo.gif

Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) at Los Angeles Clippers (2-3)
Nov 4, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Minnesota 30 27 22 31 110 Los Angeles 30 26 20 28 104 Top Performers Minnesota Timberwolves Sam Cassell - 31 pts, 8 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl Grant Hill - 30 pts, 6 ast, 4 reb, 2 stl Los Angeles Clippers Ron Harper - 27 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl Jim Jackson - 17 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk	Team Stats Comparison MIN LAC FG Made-Att 45/84 43/98 3PT Made-Att 1/4 2/6 FT Made-Att 19/29 16/22 Rebounds 54 44 Assists 33 24 Turnovers 17 6 Steals 4 11 Blocks 6 6

Game #6 | November 8, 1994
Timberwolves-Logo.gif91 |AT| 104 Trail-Blazers-Logo.gif

Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3) at Portland Trailblazers (2-5)
Nov 4, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Minnesota 15 21 33 22 91 Portland 21 24 28 31 104 Top Performers Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 15 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk Bobby Phills - 20 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk Portland Trailblazers Clyde Drexler - 28 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk Terry Porter - 19 pts, 10 ast, 5 reb, 1 stl	Team Stats Comparison MIN POR FG Made-Att 37/87 39/78 3PT Made-Att 4/7 2/7 FT Made-Att 13/18 24/32 Rebounds 39 47 Assists 23 25 Turnovers 18 20 Steals 10 8 Blocks 4 12

Game #7 | November 12, 1994

Trail-Blazers-Logo.gif117 |AT| 118 Timberwolves-Logo.gif

Portland Trailblazers (2-7) at Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)
Nov 4, 1994 1 2 3 4 Final Portland 26 23 35 33 117 Minnesota 19 26 38 35 118 Top Performers Portland Trailblazers Clyde Drexler - 24 pts, 8 ast, 7 reb, 2 blk Terry Porter - 18 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb, 2 stl Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 27 pts 19 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk Grant Hill - 30 pts, 5 ast, 3 reb	Team Stats Comparison POR MIN FG Made-Att 52/96 44/81 3PT Made-Att 4/9 5/10 FT Made-Att 9/15 25/35 Rebounds 41 46 Assists 33 30 Turnovers 11 16 Steals 10 5 Blocks 7 6

[kibaxx7]

Shaq, Grant and Cassell sounds like a great foundation. I'll make sure to check in. Good luck!

[hoopla32]

Nuggets-Logo.gif 106 |AT| 110 Timberwolves-Logo.gif

Cassell’s Career-High 17 Assists Lift Wolves Over Nuggets

4-08-Shaq-vs-Nuggets.jpg

November 15, 1994 — Target Center, Minneapolis, MN


The Minnesota Timberwolves survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Denver Nuggets to win a bruising, high-octane contest that felt straight out of the mid-‘90s hardwood wars. With Shaquille O’Neal dominating the paint and Sam Cassell orchestrating the offense with surgical precision, Minnesota improved to 6–3 on the young season, taking down Denver (6–5) 110–106 in front of a raucous Target Center crowd.

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A Clash of Big Men and Styles

From the opening tip, it was clear this game would be decided by the titans inside — Shaquille O’Neal versus Dikembe Mutombo — two of the league’s premier forces in the post. Mutombo came out aggressive, scoring 10 of Denver’s first 18 points, establishing deep position, and showing off some surprising touch around the rim. He finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, doing everything possible to keep Denver in the fight.

But O’Neal was simply a force of nature. Every entry pass felt like an event. Shaq bullied Mutombo on the block, drew fouls at will, and anchored Minnesota’s defense with 28 points, 19 rebounds, and 6 assists — a performance that reminded everyone why he’s quickly becoming the league’s most dominant presence.

“He’s a mountain you can’t move,” Mutombo said afterward with a half-smile. “You just try to survive.”

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Cassell Controls the Tempo

While the big men traded blows, Sam Cassell controlled the game like a maestro. The second-year point guard sliced through Denver’s defense with his trademark hesitation dribble and midrange pull-up, piling up 21 points and a staggering 17 assists. His chemistry with O’Neal and rookie phenom Grant Hill continues to blossom, as Minnesota’s pick-and-roll execution repeatedly broke down Denver’s frontcourt.

“Cassell was huge,” Wolves coach Bill Musselman said postgame. “Every time we needed a bucket, he made the right read. He’s starting to see the whole floor.”

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The Middle Quarters: Denver’s Grit

After a high-scoring first, Minnesota’s offense sputtered in the second quarter while Denver clamped down defensively. Isaiah Rider—traded from Minnesota just a season ago—torched his former team with 26 points on 12-of-21 shooting, flashing the athleticism and flair that made him a fan favorite in the Twin Cities.

Alongside him, Robert Horry played the ultimate glue guy, drilling 3-of-4 from deep and chipping in 17 points and 6 assists, while Chris Jackson (Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf) added 15 points, albeit on 5-of-22 shooting in an off night from the floor. Despite the inefficiency, Denver’s ball movement (31 assists) and relentless pace kept them alive.

After taking a brief 45–41 lead at halftime, the Nuggets looked poised to steal one on the road.

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The Fourth Quarter: Shaq Time

Denver entered the fourth up 69–72, and then the Timberwolves’ stars took over. Cassell found Doug West on back-to-back baseline cuts, Grant Hill pushed the tempo for a few dazzling transition finishes, and O’Neal began to wear down Mutombo and Denver’s rotation bigs.

Minnesota erupted for 38 points in the final quarter, with O’Neal scoring 12 of them. The Wolves went on a 14–2 run midway through the period to reclaim control, highlighted by a ferocious two-handed dunk from Shaq over Mutombo that sent the Target Center into chaos.

The Nuggets made one final push — a 9–0 burst capped by a Rider jumper and an Horry three to cut the lead to 106–104 — but Cassell iced the game at the line with 12 seconds left.

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Supporting Cast Steps Up

• Grant Hill added 14 points and showcased his versatility, attacking closeouts and finding open teammates.
• Doug West was a quiet assassin with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, giving Minnesota valuable balance.
• Off the bench, Bobby Phills poured in 11 points and played rugged defense on Rider down the stretch.
• Thurl Bailey provided six points and veteran stability in limited minutes.

Despite being out-rebounded 46–43 and shooting just 1-of-7 from deep, the Wolves’ interior dominance and 33 team assists proved decisive.

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Statline Snapshot

FG	47/98 (.479)	47/87 (.540)
3PT	4/12	1/7
FT	10/14	15/23
Rebounds	46	43
Assists	31	33
Turnovers	11	12
Blocks	5	7

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Postgame Notes

• Minnesota improves to 4–1 at home and has now won three straight.
• O’Neal has recorded five straight double-doubles.
• Cassell’s 17 assists mark a career high.
• Denver falls to 6–5, dropping back-to-back road games despite Rider’s strong showing.
• Both teams combined for 92 points in the paint, a true ‘90s slugfest.

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Quotable

“When Sam’s feeding me like that, all I gotta do is finish. Tonight was about staying patient and letting the game come to me.”
— Shaquille O’Neal

“That was a grown man’s game in there — elbows, sweat, everything. I love it.”
— Grant Hill

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Up Next

• Minnesota (5-3) visits the Golden State Warriors (3-8) next.
• Denver returns home to face the Utah Jazz in what promises to be another Western Conference grind.

Denver Nuggets (6-4) at Minnesota Timberwolves (5-3)
Nov 15, 2025 1 2 3 4 Final Denver 29 16 24 37 106 Minnesota 25 25 22 38 110 Top Performers Denver Nuggets Dikembe Mutombo - 24 pts, 14 reb, 3 blk, 3 ast Isaiah Rider - 26 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb, 1 blk Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal - 28 pts, 19 reb, 6 ast, 2 blk Sam Cassell - 21 pts, 17 ast, 4 reb	Team Stats Comparison DEN MIN FG Made-Att 47/98 47/87 3PT Made-Att 4/12 1/7 FT Made-Att 10/14 15/23 Rebounds 46 43 Assists 31 33 Turnovers 11 12 Steals 8 6 Blocks 5 7
Denver Nuggets STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Dikembe Mutombo 37 11/15 0/0 2/4 14 3 1 3 2 24 Isaiah Rider 34 12/21 0/5 2/2 4 5 0 1 0 26 Chris Jackson 33 5/22 1/3 4/6 0 5 5 0 2 15 Robert Horry 32 6/10 3/4 2/2 3 6 1 1 3 17 Loy Vaught 31 5/11 0/0 0/0 7 2 0 0 1 10 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Greg Grant 20 2/5 0/0 0/0 2 3 1 0 1 4 Mike Brown 18 1/3 0/0 0/0 8 1 0 0 1 2 Aaron McKie 15 1/4 0/0 0/0 2 4 0 0 0 2 Scott Williams 12 2/4 0/0 0/0 6 2 0 0 1 4 Todd Lichti 9 2/3 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Minnesota Timberwolves STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Shaquille O'Neal 36 12/22 0/0 4/7 19 6 1 2 1 28 Sam Cassell 35 9/14 1/1 2/2 3 17 0 0 5 21 Grant Hill 33 7/14 0/2 0/0 1 0 1 0 2 14 Doug West 32 6/8 0/0 0/0 2 1 0 0 1 12 Dale Davis 31 2/3 0/0 1/2 8 1 1 2 1 5 BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Thurl Bailey 16 1/3 0/0 4/6 3 0 0 3 0 6 Bobby Phills 15 5/12 0/2 1/2 2 5 0 0 1 11 Wesley Person 15 1/3 0/1 0/0 2 1 1 0 0 2 Chris Childs 12 2/4 0/1 0/0 1 2 2 0 1 4 Felton Spencer 12 2/4 0/0 3/4 2 0 0 0 0 7