Kevin Garnett played his first game back with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in nearly eight years. The crowd received “The Big Ticket” with open arms as the arena was packed to see their protocol son return and finish his career where it all began. Not only did KG return but the Timberwolves were able to shake off a rusty start and blow out the reeling Washington Wizards 97-77.

Garnett didn’t put up MVP numbers like he did for Minnesota back in 2004 when he won the award, but he was effective with five points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Kevin Martin was the go-to scorer tonight as he scored 28 points 10-of-15 shooting. Andrew Wiggins added 19 points while Nikola Pekovic recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Nobody for Washington really picked up the load offensively. Otto Porter Jr. led the way with 13 points, Nene scored 12 points, and Garrett Temple added 11 points. Those were the only three Wizards in double figures tonight. John Wall did dish out 10 assists but he scored only five points on 2-of-10 shooting, while turning the ball over four times. Marcin Gortat was one point away from a double-double with nine points and 15 rebounds.

Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce were both inactive tonight as they both are hobbled with injuries. They are huge losses but there is no excuse to lose by 20 points to a team who came into the game with only 12 wins on the season. Give Minnesota credit they charged back as they were down 18-3 with 3:48 left in the first quarter. From there on the Timberwolves outscored the Wizards 94-to-59.

Neither team shot lights out from the field but the Timberwolves shot 43.2 percent from the field compared to an abysmal 37.9 percent shooting from the Wizards. Two other glaring statistics from tonight’s game was the 19 Washington turnovers that led to 21 Minnesota points, and the free throw differential where the Timberwolves went 23-of-28 from the line compared to only 7-of-8 for Washington. The Wizards took too many contested jumpers while the Timberwolves were aggressive and attacked the basket getting to the charity stripe way more often than Washington.

 Wizards guard Garrett Temple couldn’t have said it better after the game, “We’ve got to find a way to get out of this slump, man.” They do because they continue to fall down the Eastern Conference standings, only a half game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for sixth place.

Give credit to Minnesota, they used their home crowd to their advantage which led to the least amount of points they’ve given up in a game on the season. Was KG’s presence the reason? Maybe, but the Wizards played lifeless for most of the game. Washington’s poor offense has bled over to their defense, which is supposed to be the team’s staple.

The Washington Wizards will try and snap their five-game losing streak Friday night as they head to Philadelphia to play the Sixers at 7:00 PM EST. The Minnesota Timberwolves will also go on the road; they face the Chicago Bulls Friday night at 8:00 PM EST.