Emotional Patrick Beverley leads celebration as Minnesota Timberwolves beat LA Clippers to advance to playoffs

MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards and Patrick Beverley stood on the Target Center scorer's table, screaming and celebrating in an ode to an iconic moment in Minnesota Timberwolves franchise history when Kevin Garnett stood on the table and celebrated in the 2004 playoffs.

Not long after jumping off the table, Beverley sat on the Timberwolves bench and began sobbing in an outpouring of emotion. This was deeply personal for Beverley. Not only did the veteran point guard feel the ecstasy of beating his former team, but he also rejoiced in helping Minnesota clinch the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoffs with a 109-104 come-from-behind play-in win over the LA Clippers on Tuesday night.

Minnesota will play the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 on Saturday. It is the first playoff appearance for the Timberwolves since 2018.

«Man, I wanted this one so bad,» said Beverley, who hugged his mother, Lisa, on the court. «This is just the icing on the cake, the cherry on top. Play-in, to be able to beat them… another goal scratched off. I told you we were going to the playoffs. Most of you all, y'all looked at me like I was crazy when I first said that. I f---ing told y'all.»

And he wasted no time in telling his former team, which dealt him away in August, how he felt. The Clippers had sent Beverley to Memphis, with the Grizzlies in turn trading him to Minnesota, which gave him the contract extension he sought in February.

After forcing a late turnover, Beverley celebrated in front of the Clippers bench, letting out a primal scream before pulling and pointing to his Minnesota jersey.

«Take they ass home,» Beverley said of what he told his old teammates at the end. «Long flight to L.A. Take they ass home. It's deeper