Last season Kevin Garnett appeared in Minnesota with the Celtics to a standing ovation, but he never took the court because of an abdominal strain.

The Timberwolves were disappointed that Garnett didn't play, but he is expected to finally take the court against his former team in Minnesota on Friday night.

"Actually, if he doesn't want to play (Friday) night, that's fine," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said with a smile.

"The things he did here, how can you not love him?" Al Jefferson said Thursday. "I watched him as a kid growing up in middle school and high school. The fans have every right to love him and respect him."

The Timberwolves haven't been a hot ticket so far this season, but the Target Center figures to be packed on Friday night with KG in town.

"I know Kevin did a lot of great things for this city, but I'm looking at it as just going out there and just trying to beat the Boston Celtics," guard Randy Foye said. "I hope the crowd gives him a standing ovation and everything.

"But other than that, when the ball is tipped up, it's now the Timberwolves versus the Celtics. He's got that green jersey on and we've got that white jersey on so everybody in that building should be cheering for us, not for him."