Minnesota Timberwolves schedule: Breaking down the crucial stretches

We’re only a few short weeks away from the Minnesota Timberwolves returning to the court, and while the schedule gets off to a reasonable start, it’s a roller-coaster of a slate for the season.

Scheduling is underrated as a determining factor in an NBA season. Teams’ reactions to factors such as playing a string of difficult opponents, home/road mix, and time between games is important, and one stretch can make or break a season.

Minnesota Timberwolves schedule: Breaking down the crucial stretches

The incidental effects of the schedule are particularly important for young teams like the Timberwolves because they’re still figuring out how to win consistently. It’s easier for less established teams to get off track, but matchups that reinforce winning values can set expectations that help them grow toward contention.

Of course, it’s up to the team’s players, coaches, and other staff to handle schedule dynamics in the right ways.

With that in mind, here are the four most crucial stretches of the Timberwolves’ 2021-22 schedule.

Minnesota Timberwolves schedule: The early opportunity stretch

The Wolves couldn’t ask for a more comfortable start to the season. Seven of their first eight games are at home, and they do not play a back-to-back in this stretch. In fact, they have three days between games on two occasions.

The level of opponent also gives Minnesota some time to warm up for bigger tests. They have three games against Western Conference foes who didn’t make the 2021 playoffs before their only road matchup with the defending champion Bucks. Remember, the Nuggets and Clippers will be without Jamal Murray and Kawhi Leonard, respectively, for these games.

If the Wolves are to challenge for a playoff spot, they should win five or six of these eight games at the least. That Milwaukee game is obviously going to be tough, but every other game here is exceedingly winnable.

It’s important that they take advantage of this soft start in order to set the tone for 2021-22. This is where Minnesota can build a good rhythm and show the rest of the league that this isn’t a pushover team. In addition, stacking early wins will build a momentum of excitement in the Target Center crowd, which will make the team more dangerous for these home games.