MINNEAPOLIS — From back-to-back playoff losses to disappointing seasons, superstar contracts and broken business deals, it’s been a tumultuous, chaotic and, at times, celebratory year for Minnesota sports.
The Timberwolves, Vikings, Lynx and Wild have all made strides this year, losing to top talent, and the Twins have played their best as well. Below, WCCO breaks down the year’s biggest sports stories by team, with some miscellaneous news thrown in for good measure at the end. Read on to relive 2024 for all things Minnesota sports.
Timberwolves: A thrilling run, a surprising trade, and a power struggle
Perhaps no team in Minnesota has had a more tumultuous year than the Timberwolves. They were the best team in the NBA’s Western Conference for most of the 2023-2024 season, but a key loss late in the season dropped them to the No. 3 seed heading into the playoffs. Once the postseason began, the Wolves went on a warpath and earned a spot. First ever series sweep A match against the Phoenix Suns.
In the second round, the young Wolves looked the underdog. lost 3-2 To the current champion Denver Nuggets. But two consecutive wins— Biggest Game 7 comeback in NBA playoff history —Get them to the Western Conference Finals First time since 2004.
Unfortunately, the Wolves’ magic ended there. lost to the Dallas Mavericks In 5 games. But regardless of the outcome, the Timberwolves gave fans their most exciting season in 20 years. Rudy Gobert wins Defensive Player of the Yearwon by Naz Reid Sixth Man of the Year and head coach Chris Finch. contract extension.
Oh yeah, all of this happened during that ownership dispute after glenn taylor Surprisingly, the contract was canceled E-commerce billionaire Marc Lore and baseball legend Alex Rodriguez. Ms. Taylor claimed that Ms. Lorre and Ms. Rodriguez failed to meet the final payment deadline, which both dispute, and the two parties are currently in arbitration to resolve the issue.
On to next season. A week before opening day, the Timberwolves shocked fans and the basketball world. Trading franchise executive Karl Anthony Towns To the New York Knicks Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo And a first-round pick. Long-term results remain to be seen, but Towns has shined in New York this year, while Randle and DiVincenzo have struggled and the Timberwolves sit in the middle of the Western Conference standings. .
Vikings: New QB, superstar contract and memorable season
The Vikings’ year has been defined by three quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and JJ McCarthy.
After 6 seasons, Cousins leaves Vikings As a free agent Signs with Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings made two moves to replace their longtime starter. sign darnolda former first-round pick who fell out with the New York Jets and was demoted to career backup. and draft mccarthy in the first round from Michigan.
All summer, the Vikings said they planned to start Darnold while McCarthy learned from the sideline. Whether it was posture or not, their hand was forced during McCarthy’s time. suffered a meniscus injury In his first preseason game (after giving fans hope) 2 touchdown passes). He will have to wait until 2025 to take the reins.
If only Darnold could get them to surrender. Darnold led the Vikings to a 13-2 record through 15 games, throwing for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. he has been very helpful another great season From wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who signed in June. Largest non-QB contract in NFL history With the Vikings. Darnold is on a one-year deal and will likely get a big contract from a quarterback-needy team this offseason.
The QB merry-go-round went full circle when Darnold threw five touchdowns. Vikings 42-21 victory Cousins and the sky over Atlanta. Cousins had zero TDs and two interceptions in the loss.
It’s been a rosy year for the Vikings, but the franchise has also been hit by tragedy. In July, Rookie cornerback Kyrie Jackson diesalong with two others, was involved in an accident in Maryland. The fourth round pick is 24 years old.
Then, in early December, franchise legend Randy Moss I quit my job in broadcasting. appeared on ESPN due to undisclosed health issues. Moss later revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer He spent six days in the hospital, during which time he underwent surgery. The Vikings traded Chris Carter and Jake Reed, who along with Moss formed the famous “three-deep” receiving corps. to honor him before Monday night’s victory. Beyond the Chicago Bears.
Lynx: A star performance, a place in the finals, and the return of an old friend
Boosted by Napheesa Collier joining the league’s best conversation, the Lynx made an unexpected berth to the WNBA Finals. Although it fell slightly short, Lost to New York Liberty In Game 5 — but head coach Sheryl Reeve says what would have been a franchise-record fifth championship was “stolen” from them. in screed after matchReeve went on a rant about what he believed was an unbalanced officiating in the deciding game.
It was named Reeve. Coach of the YearCollier won Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in MVP voting.
This offseason, Reeve Added two big names to her coaching staff Former Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault and Lindsey Whalen, one of the franchise’s best players and a Minnesota basketball icon.
Wild: Fleury breaks records and blossoms under new coach
The Wild’s last season was one to forget, as head coach Dean Evason was canned after 19 games. Replaced by John Hynes. Currently in his first full season with Hines at the helm, the team is growing steadily.
and Kirill Kaprizov playing at MVP levelwild is one of the best players in the NHL There’s a quarter left in the season. However, a spate of injuries put an end to his dream season, at least for the time being.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury oldest player in the league — Officially surpassed Patrick Roy for most games played by a goaltender for third place among all players in NHL history. In January, midway through last season, Fleury 2nd winning goalkeeper in history He won 552 games.
Twins: Home run sausage, local team sales
The Twins, unfortunately but not unexpectedly, ended their most exciting season in years with a real bang. Rather than building on the team’s successes, First playoff series win Since the early 1980s, the Twins have cut personnel, but they have been well-deserved by finishing fourth in the AL Central Division.
The season wasn’t without its fun moments. The team went on a winning streak midway through the season. home run sausageeliciting this great quote from catcher Ryan Jeffers.
“It’s the idea of the sausage. It’s the meaning behind the sausage,” Jeffers said. “We’re going to learn more about the sausage as the game progresses.”
Plus, hometown kid and Twins legend Joe Mauer is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame“It was a real honor to be a part of (the Minnesota Twins) and represent my hometown team.”
After the season, the Pohlad family, which has owned the Twins for 40 years, “Consider a sale” of the franchise.
Minnesota brings PWHL Championship home
Minnesota’s PWHL franchise — unknown at the time, has since been called the Frosts — won the league’s first championshipwhich, of course, brought the Walter Cup to the hockey state. Things got better after the season ended, when the champion team’s driving force General manager Natalie Darwitz has been fired. Following a league review that had not been disclosed so far. The team hired a former AHL executive to replace Darwitz. melissa caruso.
new name for the team was unveiled in September along with the logo and uniform.
St. Paul native Suni Lee wins gold medal for Team USA
After publicly revealing the twins’ health challenges — eczema and kidney condition — Lee fought an uphill battle to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lee won a gold medal In the women’s gymnastics team final, she competed against the USA team and won the bronze medal. personal all-round and uneven parallel bars.
In October, Glamor named Lee one of its members. Women of the Year.
