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Minnesota Timberwolves · One season removed from barely sneaking into the postseason altogether, the Minnesota Timberwolves, in following the lead of their alpha dog, made about as seismic a leap as one could make during 2023-24. Under the backdrop of Anthony Edwards’ growth into bonafide stardom in Year Four, the Wolves’ 56-win campaign left them just two shy of both tying the franchise record and the No. 1 seed in the historically-challenging Western Conference. Through the gritted teeth of injuries, both major and minor, Minnesota found a way to roster two All-Stars for just the fourth time in franchise history, with Edwards turning games into a night-to-night highlight reel, and Karl-Anthony Towns punishing the opposition with three-level scoring and finesse. Equally impressive as a collective, the Timberwolves, through the contributions of the likes of Rudy Gobert — a potential four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner — Jaden McDaniels, and Mike Conley, among others, Minnesota produced the NBA’s No. 1 defense, a much-needed luxury giving the lofty task ahead of them in Round 1. · State of Mint · State of Mint