The 2022 postseason collision between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Memphis Grizzlies evolved into one of the most volatile and entertaining playoff series of the modern NBA era. What started as a gritty first-round Western Conference matchup filled with massive scoring swings, dramatic comebacks, and sideline antics immediately spilled over into the offseason, setting the stage for draft-night trades and long-term roster construction shifts.
When analyzing how these two franchises crossed paths, you don't just look at a standard 2-versus-7 playoff seed battle. You examine a multi-layered sequence of events where physical basketball, front office maneuvering, and young star power collided. Let's break down the exact timeline of events, how the intense playoff blood feud shaped both organizations, and what happened when general managers took the animosity straight to the draft board.
The 2022 Playoff Stage: High Drama and Historic Collapses
The Western Conference first-round series between Memphis and Minnesota featured two young, ascending rosters eager to prove they belonged among the NBA's elite. The Grizzlies claimed the number two seed behind Ja Morant's breakout superstar campaign, while the Timberwolves battled through the play-in tournament to secure the seventh seed.
Right away, the matchup defied conventional expectations. Minnesota played with immense confidence, exploiting defensive matchups and pushing Memphis to the absolute limit. Every single game felt like a heavyweight prize fight characterized by wild momentum swings. Additional details on this are covered by Associated Press.
The Game 3 and Game 5 Meltdowns
Minnesota's inability to hold large leads became the defining storyline of the series. In Game 3, the Timberwolves built leads as large as 26 points, only to suffer catastrophic second-half collapses. Memphis orchestrated jaw-dropping runs, including a 21-0 surge in the fourth quarter of Game 3, to steal victories away from a stunned Minnesota squad.
Similar fourth-quarter struggles plagued the Timberwolves in Game 5, where late-game execution lapses allowed the Grizzlies to claw back and secure a demoralizing win. While Minnesota flashed elite offensive firepower led by Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, their youth and lack of playoff composure showed. Memphis ultimately closed out the series in six games, but the physical and psychological toll left an indelible mark on both locker rooms.
Transitioning From the Court to the Draft Board
Playoff series between competitive, young division or conference rivals often create unique front-office dynamics. Instead of resetting when the buzzer sounded on Game 6, the tension between the Timberwolves and Grizzlies transferred directly to the 2022 NBA Draft.
Front offices rarely make direct trade partners when tensions are high, but value and mutual roster needs superseded any lingering playoff bad blood. The two franchises engaged in significant draft-night wheeling and dealing that reshaped their respective asset pools.
The 2022 Draft Night Trade Breakdown
On June 23, 2022, the Timberwolves and Grizzlies shook up the draft order with a multi-player transaction:
- The Initial Swap: Minnesota held the number 19 overall pick. They agreed to trade the 19th pick (which became forward Jake LaRavia) along with a future second-round pick to Memphis.
- The Return for Minnesota: In exchange, the Timberwolves acquired the number 22 and number 29 overall picks from the Grizzlies.
- Subsequent Selections: Minnesota used the 22nd pick to select center Walker Kessler. They later packaged the 29th pick in subsequent moves to acquire forward Wendell Moore Jr.
This trade back allowed Minnesota to collect multiple assets, though the decision to trade Walker Kessler—who was subsequently re-routed in the blockbuster trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minnesota—added another layer of complexity to the franchise's timeline. Meanwhile, Memphis secured LaRavia to bolster their wing depth, successfully converting their draft capital into cost-controlled talent that fit their gritty system.
Common Misconceptions About the Timberwolves-Grizzlies Feud
Fans and analysts often romanticize sports rivalries, leading to distorted narratives about what actually happened during this era. Clarifying these details helps separate fact from internet folklore:
- It wasn't a dirty series: While physical and emotional, the intensity stemmed from two hyper-athletic teams competing fiercely, rather than malicious intent or dirty play.
- The draft trades weren't emotional retaliation: Front offices execute trades based on scouting boards and value matrices. While fans connected the draft night trades to the playoff series, executives Tim Connelly and Zach Kleiman made cold-calculated basketball decisions to manage cap flexibility and draft positioning.
- The rivalry didn't end in 2022: The battles laid the groundwork for years of physical matchups in the Western Conference, where every regular-season meeting carries extra weight because of their shared postseason history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2022 playoff series between the Timberwolves and Grizzlies?
The Memphis Grizzlies won the first-round series 4 games to 2, advancing past the Minnesota Timberwolves after overcoming multiple large deficits throughout the six games.
What were the key player stats from the 2022 matchup?
Ja Morant led Memphis with explosive scoring and triple-double performances, while Anthony Edwards announced his arrival as a legitimate playoff star for Minnesota, averaging over 25 points per game during his debut postseason run.
Why did the Timberwolves and Grizzlies trade picks on draft night?
Minnesota wanted to trade back from the 19th pick to accumulate multiple late-first-round selections (Nos. 22 and 29), while Memphis targeted specific wing depth and moved up to secure Jake LaRavia.
Did the players involved in the draft trades stay with their teams long-term?
Most of the late-first-round picks from that specific draft night trade were subsequently used as trade assets in larger roster overhauls by both franchises as they re-calibrated their rosters for future playoff contention.
