John Calipari was courtside for Recreation 4 of the Western Convention Finals, and the Minnesota Timberwolves made certain followers knew it. The workforce’s official X account shared a photograph of the legendary coach with the caption, “legendary coach within the constructing 👀.”
Calipari, now main Arkansas, was there to assist his former gamers and soak in a high-stakes playoff ambiance. The veteran coach has deep ties to each the Timberwolves and Thunder rosters.
He coached Julius Randle, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Cason Wallace throughout their faculty days at Kentucky, and has mentored different future execs all through his embellished profession
In a tweet, he wrote, “Right here watching the Western Convention Finals sport that has 4 former gamers and a couple of former Arkansas gamers. The competitiveness is off the charts. Makes me want our season began tomorrow! And I received a name from Karter!!! What’s higher than that!!!”
Right here watching the western convention finals sport that has 4 former gamers and a couple of former Arkansas gamers. The competitiveness is off the charts. Makes me want our season began tomorrow!
And I received a name from Karter!!! What’s higher than that!!! pic.twitter.com/ap0XZeewFE
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) Could 27, 2025
He additionally shared a private second, tweeting, “Liked seeing Julius Randle’s household! Kendra, Kyden, and Jayce.”
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Calipari’s bond with Randle dates again to when the 30-year-old ahead was a standout freshman who helped lead the Wildcats to the 2014 NCAA Championship sport. Their relationship has remained robust over time, with Calipari typically expressing satisfaction in Randle’s progress each on and off the court docket.
The sport itself was a thriller. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder edged out the Timberwolves 128 to 126, taking a 3–1 sequence lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 40 factors, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, whereas Jalen Williams added 34 factors. Chet Holmgren chipped in 21 factors and three blocks.
Regardless of a powerful bench efficiency from Minnesota, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 23 factors and Donte DiVincenzo including 21, the Timberwolves couldn’t overcome the Thunder’s offensive firepower within the closing minutes.
Calipari’s presence highlighted the deep connections between faculty basketball and the NBA. With a number of of his former gamers taking heart stage within the Western Convention Finals, the sport served as a showcase of how far-reaching his teaching legacy has turn out to be. His go to was greater than a private reunion. It was a mirrored image of the loyalty he shares with the athletes he’s helped information to the following stage.
In a postseason crammed with strain and depth, Calipari’s sideline look added heat, nostalgia, and one other reminder that basketball’s roots typically stretch far past the sector.