Minnesota governor declares

ST. PAUL, Minn. — As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening, Gov. Tim Walz ensured them the entire state has their backs.

Walz dubbed Wednesday “Wolves Back Day” with a 10-point proclamation that quickly went viral on social media.

In it, Walz cites Minnesota’s storied and troubled pro-basketball history, including how the five-championship-winning Minneapolis Lakers were “stolen by the coastal elites” and shipped to Los Angeles in 1960.

Naz Reid, who should probably get his own day, also gets an essential shoutout.

The governor also references Anthony Edwards’ instantly legendary “warm invitation” to Charles Barkley.

As a nod to Edwards’ epic comment, Walz’s office dropped in the ultimate Easter egg. Together, the first letters of each proclamation point spell out: “B-R-I-N-G-Y-A-A-S-S.”

The Wolves executed a stunning defeat of the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the playoffs’ second round on Sunday night, pulling off the largest Game 7 comeback in NBA history. 

The win also happened on the 20th anniversary of the Wolves’ first-ever Game 7 victory, when Kevin Garnett led the team to an 83-80 win over the Sacramento Kings. It also happened to be Garnett’s 48th birthday.

The Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers in overtime on Tuesday evening in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Whoever wins that series will face either the Wolves or Mavericks in the NBA finals.

Tipoff for Game 1 is at 7:30 p.m.