Kevin Garnett battles Dirk Nowitzki in 2003 showdown

Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki were two of the best power forwards in NBA history. This was especially true in the 2000s. Despite playing similar positions, these two stars were quite different. Garnett’s hard-nosed defense and toughness in the paint made him a force to be reckoned with.

Nowitzki, on the other hand, was more of a finesse player. He’d destroy you with his one-legged fadeaway. In 2003, both players were still looking to make their marks in the NBA.

When the two future MVPs met in March of 2003, they’d clash in an epic duel that would feature yet another future MVP in a pinnacle battle of 2000s NBA greatness.

The Dallas Mavericks were on a roll all season long. Led by Nowitzki and Steve Nash, Dallas entered their March 10th matchup with Minnesota with a 48-14 record. As for the Timberwolves, they were also a top team in the West with a record of 41-24. But Minnesota wanted to be the best team out West. This was Dallas, at the time.

The Timberwolves were fifth but knew a win against the top-seeded Mavs would be a huge confidence booster. Plus, there was revenge on the mind of Garnett. The two teams battled in the playoffs the year prior, with the Mavs sweeping the Timberwolves 3-0 in the first round.

Garnett wanted to send a message to Nowitzki and the entire Mavericks franchise. What better way than to get a big victory late in the season?

Garnett battles Dirk

KG brought his trademark intensity at the start of the game, as he went right at Nowitzki, hitting a running fadeaway to open the game.

The Timberwolves looked like the hungrier team, as they scored the first eight points of the game, with Garnett slamming the ball home off an alley-oop pass. Nash put the Mavs on the scoreboard when he hit a 20-foot jumper.

Garnett continued to be involved for the Timberwolves, dunking the ball with authority while being hammered by Raef LaFrentz. As for the Mavericks star, he had a tough time getting going as the Timberwolves were playing tough, physical defense on the German superstar.

Nowitzki would finally get himself involved in the game with 6:51 left in the opening quarter as he converted on a layup.

But the first quarter truly belonged to Garnett and the Timberwolves. Minnesota outscored Dallas 24-11, largely thanks to Garnett’s 12 points on 6-7 shooting. Nowitzki, who scored five on just 2-8 shooting, would need to be more aggressive in the second quarter. But the question remained, would he be able to?

Nowitzki would start the quarter off strong by finishing an alley-oop layup. If you thought Nowitzki didn’t dunk it because he couldn’t, you’d be wrong. On Dallas’ very next possession, after stealing the ball, Nowitzki finished an alley-oop with a slam dunk.

The second quarter became the Nowitzki and, surprisingly, the Raef LaFrentz show. Nowitzki scored 11 points in the quarter on 5-10 shooting, while LaFrentz scored nine points on various dunks and jumpers. Garnett’s two big jump shots in the final minute of the second quarter, helped to keep Minnesota ahead by a score of 47-33 at the half.

The third quarter was a back and forth struggle as both teams found it hard to put the ball in the hoop, except for veteran Michael Finley, who scored nine big points on 4-5 shooting, helping to keep the Mavs at bay, as Dallas scored 22 while Minnesota put up 18 in the quarter.

With the Timberwolves leading 65-55, the Mavs needed a spark in the fourth and they’d get it when Gary Trent picked up a flagrant foul on Nowitzki. This led to Nowitzki scoring 10 of the next 13 points for the Mavs, and more importantly, his last shot, a three, cut the Timberwolves lead to just one at 69-68 with 5:56 remaining in the game.

After Wally Szczerbiak‘s jump shot gave the Timberwolves a 71-68 lead, Finley tied the game with a big three-pointer. Szczerbiak answered right back with a three of his own, and the Mavs would never tie the Timberwolves again.

Garnett and Szczerbiak continued to hit big shots for Minnesota, and despite Nowitzki’s perfect shooting in the quarter, it wasn’t enough as the Timberwolves won 92-83 over the Mavericks, proving they had the talent to compete with any team in the West and in the entire NBA.