It’s been a long time coming, but Minnesota Timberwolves fans can finally say that their team is back on the top of the NBA food chain. It’s hard not to consider them contenders after their inspired playoff run that saw them overpower a star-studded Phoenix Suns roster and outlast the Denver Nuggets.
While the Dallas Mavericks made quick work of them in the Western Conference Finals, it doesn’t take away from the kind of season they just enjoyed. The fact that Anthony Edwards is one of the more eye-catching personalities for Team USA is a testament to his star power in bringing the Wolves back to relevance.
While their star man is playing for the Stars and Stripes, the team is looking for ways to improve the roster and make the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. They’re being linked to players who can help them finally make the big dance, which shows how confident everyone is with the Wolves’ chances at a chip.
The league recognizes how important the Wolves have become, and a rumor surfaced that would confirm Minnesota’s status on the NBA totem pole if true.
Minnesota Timberwolves to get Opening Day and Christmas games, per rumor
Since the Minnesota Timberwolves brute-forced their way into the Western Conference Finals, it made sense that the league would consider giving them as much national exposure as possible.
According to ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan, the Wolves are one of the candidates who could get a spot in two of the most important dates for NBA fans:
With a marketable and entertaining player in Anthony Edwards leading the way for the Timberwolves, there are “rumblings” around the league that “the Timberwolves are under strong consideration to play both on Opening Night — in the Western Conference game that follows Boston’s TBA ring-night season opener on TNT on Oct. 22 — as well as on Christmas Day”, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
It’s not too big of a surprise to see Edwards transform the Timberwolves franchise to this degree. Stein pointed out that the last time the Timberwolves were included in a Christmas Day slate was back in 2017, when Minnesota assembled one of its best teams in franchise history led by Jimmy Butler.
The Timberwolves will start their 2024-25 campaign with pretty much the same core of players that helped them make a deep run last season, so it won’t be weird to see them back in a deep playoff run when all’s said and done. Fans will be hopeful that the team will replicate their efforts now that more eyes are fixated on them.
