Timberwolves Game 3 Attracts Throngs to Downtown Minneapolis

Fans flooded the Target Center Saturday night, a sea of team colors and excitement. Hours before tip-off, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as supporters gathered, ready to cheer on their Timberwolves.

Despite the team's challenging position in the series, optimism ran high among the crowd. "The series doesn't start till the road team wins, so we're still in this thing," said Kaleb White, a dedicated fan who traveled over an hour to join the festivities.

While the Timberwolves face an uphill battle, local businesses are reaping the rewards of the game-day energy. At Gluek's Bar and Restaurant, patrons packed in shoulder to shoulder, a welcome sight for owner Dave Holcomb.

"For us, we live on events; these are extremely important," Holcomb remarked, noting that game nights can nearly double their usual Saturday revenue.

He likened the excitement to "the Olympics for us," emphasizing the significance of maintaining this momentum throughout the playoffs.

As the Timberwolves continue their playoff journey, the community rallies behind them, showcasing the unifying power of sports in Minneapolis.

Ubah Ali made her mark in September 2023 as Minnesota's first Somali-American TV reporter in the Twin Cities, bringing diverse perspectives to local sports coverage.