These are not your Minnesota Timberwolves of old. The Western Conference bottom-dweller of years past, mocked and ridiculed by other NBA fans is long gone, replaced by a tried-and-true championship contender.
Most teams in the league are dying to be in the position the Timberwolves are in right now. Through a careful process of team-building, Minnesota has assembled a top-tier roster around Anthony Edwards and has become one of the most prominent teams in the association.
For years, and even after Edwards' arrival, Wolves fans wondered when the national media would recognize their team's potential. Well, we can safely say that time has now come. Minnesota has slowly built rapport with both the league and its media partners since becoming a big-time winner, with the latest evidence of this claim coming on Monday morning.
The Timberwolves will play the Lakers on opening night
Shams Charania reported on Monday that the NBA's opening night slate has been determined. According to the top insider, the Timberwolves are scheduled to be one of four teams playing in the two prime time opening night contests. Minnesota will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers.
This game will represent the night cap of a two-game slate that will begin with the Boston Celtics hosting the New York Knicks on ring ceremony night. This is obviously a momentous occasion for Minnesota.
A few short days after being chosen for a Christmas Day game for just the third time ever, the Timberwolves will also be playing in the NBA's very first night of action in the 2024-25 season. After the two games on Tuesday, October 22, the remaining 26 teams in the league will play on Wednesday, October 23.
Minnesota is clearly looked at as a must-see TV type of team by the league. Timberwolves fans have of course felt this way for years, but it is nice to see the NBA and the national media begin to catch up to the excitement brewing in the Twin Cities.