The Last Fake Game Before It Gets Real
And so here we are, the sixth and final preseason game. The end of the road before basketball starts to count again.
For Chris Finch and his staff, Friday night in Philadelphia is the last chance to tinker, experiment, and evaluate the young guys before the Timberwolves board the plane for Portland and the real show begins next Wednesday.
After dropping another close one to the Bulls last night, the Wolves now sit at 2–3 this preseason, which, in the grand scheme of things, means absolutely nothing. The preseason is basketball’s version of rehearsal dinner speeches: you just want everyone to get through it without saying anything disastrous or pulling a hamstring.
Preseason Takeaways (or, What Not to Overreact To)
Let’s be honest: nothing that happened over the past two weeks should keep Wolves fans awake at night. The starters have looked solid when they’ve actually played, the offense has flashed some rhythm, and the team hasn’t suffered any major injuries. For an October that includes six meaningless games, that is the biggest win of all.
Yes, the Wolves dropped close contests to Indiana, New York, and now Chicago. But that’s what happens when your crunch-time lineup features guys fighting for the 13th roster spot while the stars are already in ice baths.
This isn’t cause for alarm. It’s preseason basketball. The standings reset to zero next week, and no one’s hanging banners for “Best October Effort.”
Who We’ll Actually See Tonight
Given the back-to-back schedule, don’t expect to see much of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, or Rudy Gobert against the Sixers. Finch has been around long enough to know there’s no upside to burning your stars’ legs before the opener.
Instead, tonight will be all about the youth movement — the Rob Dillingham / Jaylen Clark / Terrence Shannon Jr. show.
It’s been an uneven preseason for Dillingham, but flashes of creativity and confidence have shown why Minnesota traded up for him. Clark’s defense continues to turn heads, and Shannon plays like every possession might be his last, which, in preseason terms, is exactly the mindset you want.
If you’re a die-hard, this game might actually be fun: a little bit of chaos, a little bit of promise, and hopefully no rolled ankles.
Where to Watch (and Why It’s About to Get Easier)
Friday’s game won’t be on your regular TV lineup. It’s League Pass only. But don’t worry, the days of preseason blackout scavenger hunts are almost over.
Starting next week, FanDuel Sports Network – North will have all of your non-national broadcast Timberwolves games. And here’s the kicker: FanDuel Sports Network North is offering a 30-day free trial for Canis Hoopus readers. If you don’t already get it through your provider, now’s your chance to watch the first month of the season free — no strings attached. You can also catch tonight’s game on KFAN FM, the Wolves App, or iHeart Radio if you prefer the old-school route.
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After Tonight, It’s for Real
Once the final buzzer sounds in Philly, the dress rehearsals end. The next time we see this team take the floor, it’ll be in Portland. Game 1 of 82 (and maybe 83 if the NBA Cup dreams stay alive).
The Timberwolves’ preseason hasn’t been flashy, but that’s fine. This team doesn’t need a statement in October. They need cohesion in December, health in March, and a killer instinct in May.
For now, it’s one more night of experimental lineups. Then it’s back to business.
So enjoy the last fake game, Wolves fans. The next time they tip off, it actually matters.