Have the Timberwolves ever won an NBA championship? History of Minnesota's weaknesses in the NBA Finals

The Timberwolves are on the verge of making basketball history.

Minnesota has long been one of the NBA's most unlucky franchises, struggling to find gold in a sea of ​​precious stones. Despite having some of the sport's greatest talents gracing their pelts, including Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Karl-Anthony Towns and most recently Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves have yet to reach the pinnacle of elite basketball.

They've had some pretty close calls, especially during Garnett's heyday, but the Wolves' recent appearance in the Western Conference Finals is new territory for the Great Lakes team.

Here's everything you need to know about Minnesota and its history in basketball's biggest games.

MORE: Why the perfect comparison to Anthony Edwards is not Michael Jordan

Have the Timberwolves ever won an NBA championship?

If you're a Timberwolves fan, keep your eyes peeled: Minnesota has never been to the NBA Finals in its 35-year history.

The T-Wolves are one of only five NBA franchises not yet in contention for a championship, and among those teams, only the Clippers can claim to have waited longer than Minnesota to get close to a championship.

But that doesn't mean the Timberwolves didn't have a chance to get to basketball's promised land. Or rather, a chance. In 2004, led by the smooth play of megastar Kevin Garnett and the tactical style of head coach Flip Saunders, the Wolves achieved a 58-24 record and first place in the Western Conference.

Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per night and was named MVP. He continued his strong performance in the postseason, leading Minnesota past the Nuggets and Kings in the first two rounds. Despite a valiant effort, the T-Wolves could not defeat the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, losing in six games to the eventual NBA Finals runners-up.

But even that series was close; two of Minnesota's losses were decided by seven points or less.

Which teams have never made it to the NBA Finals?

The Timberwolves would love to remove their name from a shameful list with an appearance in this year's NBA Finals.

Currently, Minnesota is one of five franchises that have not made it to the NBA Finals. The Wolves have not been to the Finals in 35 years and have one of the longest active winning streaks in basketball.

Here's a look at the teams that have never earned a spot in the NBA Finals:

* Charlotte did not have a basketball team from 2003 to 2005, so two seasons were canceled.

** The Pelicans' franchise history begins in the 2002-03 season when the original Hornets franchise relocated to New Orleans. The current Charlotte franchise owns the franchise history from 1988 to 2002.

How many NBA teams have never won the NBA Finals?

In addition to the five franchises that did not make it to the NBA Finals, there are six other franchises that have never won an NBA title.

Among franchises without an NBA championship, the Suns have reached the most NBA Finals with three appearances. Phoenix lost to Boston in 1976, Chicago in 1993 and Milwaukee in 2021.

Longest dry spells in the NBA Finals

Due to expansion and location changes, there are a number of franchises that have won titles in a different era of the NBA's 76-year history. The Hawks and Kings are two examples of franchises that have competed in the NBA Finals – and won – in a different location.

The Kings won the NBA Finals in 1951, when they were known as the Rochester Royals. The Hawks won the NBA Finals in 1958, when they were based in St. Louis.