It all starts late Tuesday night on the West Coast. That's when the Timberwolves begin the regular season, taking on the Lakers in LA with big expectations.
The Wolves are coming off one of the best years in franchise history, where they made it to the Western Conference finals for just the second time. They have one of the biggest rising stars in the game, and are loaded and ready for a battle in what should be a wild race in the deep Western Conference.
They're also taking the court with a number of new players obtained in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Wolves coach Chris Finch says it will take time for players to adjust.
"You know, just working the new guys in, getting their comfort level where it needs to be, trying to re-establish our defensive identity," Finch explained. "That's what's really important for us. But I feel like the guys are ready to get going."
Those new players are Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo who come to the Wolves from the New York Knicks. Both bring a lot to the new-look Wolves but they're definitely losing a leader and great player in Towns. Trading Towns removed their second-leading scorer and one of the league’s best-shooting big men from the roster.
Finch says it'll be a full team effort to replace Towns' production.
There could also be some "history" made in Tuesday's game against the Lakers. If LeBron James Sr. and his son, Bronny, play in the same game for the Lakers it'll be an NBA first.
Bronny made it clear that he doesn’t know if he’ll actually get to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Lakers coach JJ Redick said “nothing has been finalized or anything” about Los Angeles’ playing rotation.
Yet it seems unlikely the Lakers will wait to make the moment of history they’ve been planning ever since the franchise chose Bronny with the 55th overall pick this summer to play with LeBron, the 39-year-old top scorer in NBA history. The father and son already played together in the preseason, first taking the court together outside Palm Springs earlier this month.
The Timberwolves will remain out west for Thursday's game at Sacramento before coming home for the opener in Minneapolis Saturday against Toronto at Target Center.
GAME PREVIEW
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles; Tuesday, 9 p.m.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -1.5; over/under is 223
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season opener.
Los Angeles finished 47-35 overall, 27-25 in Western Conference action and 28-14 at home during the 2023-24 season. The Lakers averaged 7.4 steals, 5.5 blocks and 13.4 turnovers per game last season.
Minnesota finished 56-26 overall and 37-15 in Western Conference play during the 2023-24 season. The Timberwolves averaged 113.0 points per game last season, 17.8 on free throws and 37.8 from 3-point range.
INJURIES: Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt: out (foot), Christian Wood: out (knee).
Timberwolves: None listed.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.