Purple Reign Returns to Target Center
Todd Swank's Diary Entry for February 22, 2026
Last weekend we drove a truck onto Prior Lake like that’s a completely reasonable life choice. It was in the 50s. Snow melting. Guys in hoodies. And we’re rolling 6,000 pounds of machinery onto “two feet of ice,” which everyone confidently assures you is safe while casually mentioning they once saw a car go through in 1998. Ice fishing is hilarious. You sit in a heated trailer on a frozen lake convincing yourself you’re outdoorsy. Still, there’s something about being out there together that makes the risk feel worth it.
The Walters family ice house isn’t an ice house. It’s a cabin that just happens to have holes in the floor into the abyss. Granite counters, wood walls, heat cranked… meanwhile you’re casually fishing over 20 feet of dark water like that’s normal. We saw photos of Dan the day before hauling in monster pike, so naturally the Swank family showed up and performed a live demonstration of how to catch absolutely nothing. Jen’s over there stacking crappie like a pro. Us? Moral support. Once again, not our night.
Walking out onto the ice at night, it was quiet enough to hear your boots squeak and your confidence fade a little. Then you look up and Mystic Lake is firing beams into the sky like Batman just moved to Prior Lake. Out there in the dark, the lake feels endless and calm, and those lights remind you civilization is still humming along somewhere. Or maybe it’s just a billion-dollar tractor beam gently guiding us to come inside and donate our paycheck to the slots.
Friday night we hit Target Center to watch the 34–22 Wolves host a 19–35 Mavericks team limping in on a losing streak, missing basically everyone you’d pay to see. First game back after All-Star weekend, so we were expecting energy… or at least functioning legs. Luke rolled with me, and Miss Sheri, loyal to a fault, bought a solo seat in the nosebleeds. We couldn’t see her, but we could definitely hear her swearing at the refs from across the arena. True love.
Friday night was Prince Night at Target Center, which is ironic because Prince spent his whole life fighting to control his music and now his estate slaps “Let’s Go Crazy” on anything with a pulse. Still, it’s pretty cool hearing his songs blasting before tipoff and during every timeout like the building’s been possessed by Paisley Park. At halftime they brought out Judith Hill, his longtime collaborator, and for a few minutes it felt less like a promo night and more like Minneapolis remembering who we were lucky enough to have.
First game back after All-Star weekend and Ant walks out with the MVP trophy like it’s just another accessory. He dropped 32 in that new USA vs. World format and made it look routine. Now he’s back home, raising the Kobe Bryant Trophy before tipoff while the crowd loses its mind. Twenty-three years old and already carrying the franchise like this. At some point you stop asking if he’s special and start asking if league MVP is next.
We bought these tickets thinking we’d get to see their hotshot rookie Cooper Flagg in person. First chance. Then we find out Flagg was hurt. Okay. Fine. Then it’s no Luka. No Anthony Davis. No Kyrie. At that point you start checking if the mascot is questionable too. Felt a little ripped off. But then you remember we’ve got Naz Reid. Undrafted. Sixth Man of the Year. Walking bucket. Built like a tight end with a jumper. If the stars don’t show, Naz has no problem becoming one.
This was our first chance to see the newest Wolf, Ayo Dosunmu, in person. I’ve been fired up about him since the Chicago trade. Long, strong, can shoot it, can defend, feels like a steal. Didn’t have a huge night, but you could see flashes. The confidence. The burst. The moments where you lean forward a little in your seat. Sometimes the box score lies. I still think when things tighten up in the playoffs, he’s going to matter.
First game back after the break and Ant drops 40 like he was still in All-Star mode. We built a 17-point lead, tried to give it back, then remembered we’re actually good. Dallas took their 10th straight loss and headed for the exits. Prince blasted all night, purple everywhere, and for a few hours Target Center felt electric. Maybe that’s the theme of the week. Work hard, play loud, and when it’s winning time… let’s go crazy.
@toddswank Turns out he was actually snagged on a line from one of the other holes! Felt like a big one though!! #icefishing #priorlake #snag #theonethatgotaway ♬ original sound - Todd Swank
@toddswank Let’s go Timberwolves! #prince #minnesota #timberwolves #cityedition ♬ original sound - Todd Swank
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