Timberwolves' NBA Cup schedule gives them a clear opportunity to make a deep run

As the NBA rolls forward with its schedule release, the full NBA Cup schedule is now available. While the groups have been known since late June, it's worth looking into the Minnesota Timberwolves' group and path to winning the NBA Cup. Here's their full Cup schedule. 

• 10/30 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
• 11/6 @ New Orleans Pelicans 
• 11/25 @ Oklahoma City Thunder
• 11/27 vs. Memphis Grizzlies 

If you need a refresher, NBA Cup play splits teams into six groups. Everyone plays the other four teams in their group during select Cup Nights early in the regular season. From there, the team with the best record in each group and one wildcard from each conference enter a single-elimination tournament.

Okay, the Thunder are, of course, a tough matchup. They've been the No. 1 seed over the past three seasons and won the 2025 championship. However, the Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Clippers are all pretty easy matchups. The Clippers should take a step back with Kawhi Leonard presumably being traded. Memphis has plenty of young talent but should be a lottery team. Finally, the Pelicans project to be a bottom-feeder of the West, given their lack of talent, floor spacing, and defense. 

As such, if the Wolves can upset the Thunder, they have a clear path to making an NBA Cup run. 

An NBA Cup run could be meaningful for the Timberwolves

Look, if you want to scoff at the NBA Cup, I get it. There's not a ton of history, and it doesn't ensure any playoff success. Regardless, the new-look Wolves have plenty to prove. 

Ideally, LaMelo Ball can can quickly acclimate to the team and an NBA Cup run could spearhead this, setting up a successful regular season. The Timberwolves could also lighten some of the concerns about their smaller frontcourt with success in the NBA Cup -- this is especially true if they beat the Thunder.

While NBA Cup success isn't always paired with a deep playoff run, it's not nothing that the New York Knicks won the Cup and the Finals last year, beating the San Antonio Spurs both times. The Thunder were the Cup runner-up before their 2025 championship run.

The Cup gives teams a taste of high-leverage basketball and can help build momentum for both the regular season and playoffs. Three years into the tournament, the Timberwolves have never made it past the group stage. Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards and company thrive in high-leverage situations, as we've seen in the playoffs. 

Minnesota will certainly be eager to play the Thunder and prove that this new-look roster has what it takes. And despite getting exposed against OKC in the Western Conference finals in 2025, the Wolves have had success against the Thunder in the regular season. Notably, they've split the season series in two straight years. 

LaMelo's playmaking and shooting could help the Wolves match up with OKC better despite their sudden lack of size. 

Overall, the NBA Cup gives the Timberwolves a golden chance to prove that this new-look roster is the real deal. Beating the Thunder won't be easy, but if the Timberwolves can do that, they have a clear path to winning their first-ever NBA Cup, which in the end could be somewhat meaningful. 

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