SEVEN-YEAR ITCH IS SCRATCHED

According to the Wolves, Thursday night's game was their first home game on TNT since Nov. 17, 2005. Looking back:

• The Wolves' starting five was Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Marko Jaric and Trenton Hassell. Garnett scored 25 points and Szczerbiak 17 in a 109-98 victory over Washington, and Troy Hudson and Richie Frahm (!) added 16 points off the bench. Dwane Casey was in his eighth game as coach, on his way to a 33-49 season.

• Garnett's taped pregame interview with TNT's Cheryl Miller caused a stir, as he said he believed Flip Saunders would still be coach if Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell had been given contract extensions before the 2004-05 season -- a shot at owner Glen Taylor and VP Kevin McHale. Garnett defended his comments afterward, saying: "I didn't feel like I disrespected anybody."

• TNT analyst Charles Barkley said at halftime that the Wolves should trade Garnett. "They've got to start thinking about the future at some point," Barkley said. The trade to Boston would come two years later. The future ... well, the Wolves were back on TNT Thursday night.