The Minnesota Timberwolves are 2-0. After defeating the Orlando Magic on Friday, they became the third team in NBA history to win their first two games—both on the road—by 20+ points. They won their first game in easy fashion against the Miami Heat.
Now, Minnesota heads to the Target Center for their home opener on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors (2-0). Last year, the Timberwolves finished 26-15 there. They will also play 12 of their next 16 outings there this season.
The Wolves have been especially fortunate in their home openers lately. On Sunday, they'll go for a win in their 11th consecutive home opener.
Target Center has been great for the Timberwolves to open their year
It's been over a decade since the Timberwolves sent their fans home disappointed after their first home game of the regular season. They last lost a home opener on November 2, 2015, when they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers by five points. Both Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince started that night in what would be their final season.
In last year’s home opener, the Timberwolves beat the Indiana Pacers 114-110. Julius Randle—now on the Brooklyn Nets—led Minnesota with 31 points. That was their 10th straight home opening victory, and here are the previous nine:
10/26/24: Toronto Raptors 112-101
10/28/23: Heat 106-90
10/19/22: Oklahoma City Thunder 115-108
10/20/21: Houston Rockets 124-106
12/23/20: Detroit Pistons 111-101
10/27/19: Heat 116-109
10/19/18: Cleveland Cavaliers 131-123
10/20/17: Utah Jazz 100-97
10/29/16: Memphis Grizzlies 116-80
Now, for a franchise without the most storied history, you might think this is the longest streak of home-opener wins in team history. That would actually be incorrect—although they are approaching the record. Minnesota won its first game at the Target Center for 12 straight years, from 1995 to 2006.
Raptors not an easy team to see streak continue against
Sunday's matchup won’t be easy for Minnesota. The Raptors won their season opener by a whopping 43 points against the Chicago Bulls and then beat the Washington Wizards on the road by 10 points. The team has welcomed back Kawhi Leonard and held both opponents to under 40 percent shooting. DraftKings Sportsbook currently has the Timberwolves as slight 1.5-point favorites.
Minnesota has relied heavily on the 3-point ball in its first two games, but Toronto has held its first two opponents to just 25.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Someone will be leaving the Target Center with their first loss. If that team is Toronto, the Timberwolves will have a chance to tie their franchise record for consecutive home opening wins next year.
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