The Minnesota Timberwolves know they will be the sixth seed in the NBA playoffs. What they still don’t know is who their opponent will be in the opening round.
It can be one of two teams: the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, most fans prefer the latter, and the possibility remains that we get a first-round rematch from last year.
For a bit, it seemed like the Wolves and the Nuggets were on a collision course, but the Lakers picking up back-to-back wins changed the equation.
Playing the Lakers is a dream outcome for the Wolves
The Nuggets and Wolves have had some fun playoff meetings as they met up in both 2023 and 2024. The expectation would be for that to be a hard-fought series, and that can take a toll on a team that needs to win four series in order to win a title.
So the easier path to the Western Conference semifinals seems to be the Lakers. That’s in large part due to LA not having either Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves due to injuries.Â
Reaves’ strained oblique came with a four-to-six week recovery timeline, which would have him out for the first-round. A pulled hamstring has Doncic sidelined, and there is no timetable for his return. The expectation is that he likely wouldn’t be ready at least for the start of the playoffs.
On top of the Lakers' injuries, avoiding Nikola Jokic is always a plus.
The Wolves were underdogs entering last year’s series with the Lakers, and they took care of business quickly in eliminating Los Angeles in five games. If the Wolves are fortunate enough to draw the Lakers, this time around, Minnesota would enter as the favorites.
How Sunday's games will determine the Wolves' matchup
So what needs to happen in order for the Timberwolves to meet up with the Lakers for the second-straight postseason? On the last day of the regular season (Sunday), LA needs to win, and Denver needs to lose.
The first part of that equation should be easy, even with the Lakers shorthanded. They will be at home playing the Utah Jazz. While the Jazz beat the similarly tanking Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Utah lost its previous 10 outings and 14 of 15.
The Nuggets go on the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs. Who will play? Denver rested all of its starters on Friday (still beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, who rested four starters). Nikola Jokic does seem likely to suit up as he needs one more game to become eligible for awards.
The Spurs meanwhile, have the second seed locked up, and Victor Wembanyama reached the 65-game threshold to become eligible for end-of-season honors on Friday. The game is on ESPN, and the NBA certainly frowns upon guys sitting during nationally televised games, so it’s hard to predict who will be available.
Undoubtedly, Wolves fans will have their eyes glued to both of these games on Sunday.