The NBA schedule is a good way to gauge how much the league cares about specific teams. While the entire schedule isn't out yet, a few key games have been revealed. The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of 10 teams playing on Christmas Day, where they will play the rival Denver Nuggets. They also have a premier NBA Cup showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Furthermore, the Wolves are part of the opening week on Amazon Prime, where they'll face off against the Los Angeles Lakers, and they have the second Peacock exclusive game against the Nuggets on October 27.
Undoubtedly, the NBA is sending a clear message: Minnesota is a premier team that deserves national attention. After making back-to-back Conference Final appearances and being part of last year's opening night, this shouldn't be all too shocking. Nevertheless, it's nice to see the NBA promoting and prioritizing the Wolves.
Minnesota's matchups that the league is promoting make sense. The Wolves and Nuggets are undoubtedly one of the league's best rivalries. A rematch of the Western Conference Finals will always be exciting. After beating the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, this matchup should have an extra element of excitement as well. Plus, Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić are two of the league's best and most entertaining stars.
The Wolves are set to receive a plethora of nationally televised games
While the whole schedule isn't out yet, it wouldn't be surprising if the Wolves got more nationally televised games than last year. Notably, last season they had 25, which was a significant jump from 10 the year before. Somewhere within the low 30s and the top five among teams feels like a reasonable number for Minnesota's national TV games.
A second rematch with the Golden State Warriors, a showdown with the improved Houston Rockets, and a face-off against the New York Knicks after last year's blockbuster trade are all candidates for nationally televised games. Of course, don't be surprised if the Wolves' other games with the Thunder, Nuggets, and Lakers also receive a national spotlight.
With Edwards, the Wolves have the star power to compel a general audience. Outside of the Wolves' star power, they have endearing role players, including Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo. Moreover, after making back-to-back Conference Finals appearances, their success commands national attention. Seeing if the Wolves can break through to reach their first-ever NBA Finals is an exciting story for both diehard and casual fans.
Last season, the Wolves had the league's most clutch time games, making them appointment viewing for all fans. The Wolves have an exciting blend of perimeter and interior scoring. Given all these factors, it's easy to see why the Wolves are one of the teams that Adam Silver and company are looking to promote on the biggest stage.