On Sunday, the Timberwolves won their 10th straight regular season home opener against the Pacers to improve their record to 2-1. It was also the first regular season home game with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez as the team’s new official owners.
The new owners have clearly let it be known that they want to improve the fan experience at the Target Center. One change that was made is the lighting in the arena. At least when it comes to the players, they seem to all like the change that was made.
Timberwolves roster seems quite fond of new lighting arrangement
Prior to the home opener, the team announced its new lighting system that will be used during Timberwolves and Lynx (WNBA) home contests. The CEO of both Minnesota basketball squads,
“Our dedicated fans deserve the best when cheering on their favorite teams, and we’re focused on every detail that enhances the in-arena experience for our loyal supporters and players, Caldwell said before the game. This new lighting design enhances the big-game feel while preserving the close bond between the team and our fans, bringing energy, focus, and a sense of spectacle to every Timberwolves and Lynx game.”
The new stage lighting that @AROD and @MarcLore installed into Target Center looks amazing. pic.twitter.com/koRvyp10ov
— 🐺 (@WolvesBackNBA) October 27, 2025
Sifting through X, there are fans that were at the game who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the new arena. Timberwolves beat reporter Dane Moore tweeted how in the locker room, Wolves players were talking about how they enjoyed the new lighting. Some player quotes also confirmed this.
Wolves players were all talking in the locker room about how much they like the new lighting (or lack of lighting) in the stadium
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) October 27, 2025
Julius Randle on the new lighting in the Target Center
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) October 27, 2025
“It was sick, it was so cool… it brought me back to staples center years… it’s cool as hell so shout out to the ownership group for making that change” pic.twitter.com/npcscQbApn
Jaylin Clark in the new lighting in TC
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) October 27, 2025
“It’s dope, it reminds me of LA or Madison square, it made it hard for me to find my mom and my girlfriend but I like the whole atmosphere here man, Minnesota is dope, I be telling everyone back in California… like we actually care about… pic.twitter.com/CFG2XapffM
"I like it, it was fun. It was a different kind of atmosphere, I felt like I was in a dark forest, hunting."
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) October 27, 2025
-Rudy Gobert on the classic edition court & jerseys and theater-style lighting at Target Center.https://t.co/TiYL72EgwT
Fireeee 🔥 https://t.co/JbP2KSklVQ
— Bones Hyland (@BizzyBones11) October 27, 2025
There will be a couple more opportunities for fans to take in the new experience this week. Sunday night was the first of a three-game homestand. Target Center will bring in the Nuggets on Monday and the Lakers on Wednesday.
Committed to keeping the fanbase happy
So far, it seems as if the Wolves’ new ownership has been true to their word. They truly do care about the fans. In the offseason, fans of the team were even provided a survey to better help future decisions being made.
For now, Minnesota is undefeated (1-0) with the lighting. The win against the Pacers wasn’t pretty (114-110) as Indiana was severely undermanned. It also saw Anthony Edwards leave after just over three minutes had elapsed with hamstring tightness.
It remains unclear if he will be available for Monday’s game against Denver, but fans will still get to enjoy the new lighting arrangement regardless of whether or not the superstar plays.