Minnesota Timberwolves get favorable early season schedule in 2022-23

With the NBA releasing the full season schedules for all 30 teams on Wednesday, Minnesota Timberwolves fans were finally able to learn when and where they’ll see their team play in 2022-23. While the Wolves didn’t land a coveted Christmas Day game, they did end up with 16 nationally-televised games, a nice sign of respect from the league.

As Minnesota heads into a season full of high expectations, they’ll have a good chance of starting fast thanks to a favorable schedule to start out the season.

MIN Will Face One 2022 Playoff Team Before November

The Timberwolves will open their 82-game slate October 19th, when they face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the friendly confines of the Target Center. Minnesota and their two star big men will be happy to give Chet Holmgren a proper introduction to the big leagues.

After that, it’ll be an emotional night as the Utah Jazz and several former Timberwolves travel to Minneapolis just two nights later. Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley will all be back in town playing against their former teammates.

A quick trip to Oklahoma City will then precede a surprising three contests with the San Antonio Spurs, along with a visit from the Los Angeles Lakers. In all, the first seven games of the season for the Timberwolves should be very manageable, with no opponents that are projected as 2023 playoff teams:

• October 19th vs Thunder
• October 21st vs Jazz
• October 23rd at Thunder
• October 24th vs Spurs
• October 26th vs Spurs
• October 28th vs Lakers
• October 30th at Spurs

Timberwolves Can Start Fast And Not Look Back

The Thunder and Spurs are both expected to be in the running for the number one overall pick next June. Getting a combined five games against these teams right away should be an excellent way for Minnesota to get tuned up.

While the Jazz were a playoff team in 2022, one of the biggest reasons for their previous success now wears a Timberwolves uniform. And though playing LeBron James and Anthony Davis will never be a cakewalk, the Lakers don’t pose the challenges some of the other Western Conference teams do.

In total, Minnesota couldn’t have asked for a more favorable start to the 2022-23 season. This schedule will allow them plenty of time to get Rudy Gobert more comfortable with his teammates, and help the team to gel better overall.

Starting the season 7-0 is a real possibility. But even if a loss or two is mixed in, this early-season slate will still give the Timberwolves a great chance at building the foundation to what could be a very special season.