The run to the Western Conference Finals by the Minnesota Timberwolves is now bleeding over to the baseball diamond.
The Minnesota Twins announced Monday that they have shifted the start time of their Friday, May 24 home game against the Texas Rangers at Target Field to a 6:10 p.m. first pitch, rather than 7:10 p.m. as previously scheduled.
Moving first pitch time up by one hour was done to help accommodate ingress and egress to downtown Minneapolis throughout what is expected to be a busy evening, with Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip that night at Target Center.
The Wolves, who defeated Denver in Game 7 of the second round on Sunday night, will host Dallas for Game 1 Wednesday night. The Twins will wrap a three-game series in Washington that afternoon before both teams are off on Wednesday.
With both teams planning to be in action, just a block apart, on Friday, staggering the games should help fans of each get in and out of the area.
The Wolves series then shifts to Dallas on Sunday for Games 3 and 4.
If you're looking ahead, both teams will potentially play in Minneapolis again if the Wolves get to Game 5, but the Twins play an afternoon game which would avoid another direct conflict. The Twins are off on June 3 which would be a potential Game 7.
Friday, May 24 is also Star Wars Night at Target Field, with the first 5,000 fans in attendance receiving a Star Wars/Twins “Light or Dark Side” reversible bucket hat. Tickets are still available online at twins.com/tickets, by calling 1-800-33-TWINS or in person at the Target Field Ticket Office.