Minnesota leads Los Angeles 3-1 in Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, meaning that the Lakers will need to win tonight to stave off elimination from the tournament. We’ll show you how to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers live streams, so you can see the fate of the teams in real time.
The first round of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers playoffs match-up has largely been dominated by the ‘Wolves, who won the first, third, and fourth games. Although the Lakers — under LeBron James and Luka Doncic — managed to pull off a win in Game 2, they’ve struggled to keep up for the rest of the series. They came close on Sunday, narrowly losing 116-113, but it all comes down to tonight. The Lakers were bounced by the Nuggets in Round 1 last year, while the Timberwolves made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, where they ultimately fell to the Doncic-helmed Mavericks.
If the Lakers manage to stay in the tournament, the next game in the series will take place on Friday (with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Sunday). Make sure to bookmark our streaming guide on how to watch the NBA Playoffs for info on other match-ups and upcoming rounds.
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers: quick links
What channel is the Timberwolves vs. Lakers game on?
The Timberwolves vs. Lakers game will air on TNT in the US. The game is scheduled to tip off on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, so it might be a bit of a late night for East Coasters. Unlike Wednesday nights during the regular season, tonight’s game won’t air on ESPN. If you’re in the UK, you’ll want to check out TNT Sports 1.
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers in the US
If you’re a cord-cutter without access to TNT, you don’t need to worry about missing out on one second of the game — or the Playoffs. There are several live TV streaming services you can sign up for that will ensure you can get in on all of the action.
Sling TV is our top recommendation because it offers a way to watch absolutely every game of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, including tonight’s TNT match-up. Both Sling base plans carry TNT, but we recommend signing up for Sling Orange since it also offers ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and 30+ other live channels. This base plans costs $46/month, but new users can get 50% off their first month of service right now. If you’re looking to make sure you can watch all playoff games, we recommend also getting the Sports Extra add-on for an addition $11/month. This will give you access to NBA TV and about 10 other popular sports channels.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members often get a chunky discount on their first month.
DirecTV is another great way to stream multiple NBA Playoffs games, beyond just tonight’s TNT showdown. The MySports pack carries TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, and ABC (in select regions), and about 20+ other live channels. This is a great service for sports fans or those looking to watch tonight’s game on a free trial since DirecTV offers five days free for new users. Plans cost $70/month and include a subscription to ESPN Plus.
DirecTV’s MySports pack carries popular sports channels, from mainstays like ESPN to niche offerings like the ACC Network.
You can also live stream tonight’s game through Max, Warner Bros.’ streaming service. This is a great option if you’re only looking to tune into TNT/TBS/truTV games, but we recommend trying out of the above live TV streaming packages if you’re hoping to watch the rest of the NBA Playoffs since there’s no way to stream ESPN, ABC, or NBA TV on Max. This sports live streaming option (through the B/R Sports add-on) is only available through ad-free plans, which start at $17/month.
Max’s Standard plan includes ad-free on-demand streaming for HBO series, Warner Bros. blockbusters, original Max shows, and much more. Plus, all ad-free subscribers get the B/R Sports Add-on, so they can live stream NBA, NHL, MLB, and more for no extra cost.
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers in the UK
The Timberwolves vs. Lakers game will air on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. If you don’t mind staying up that late, you can live stream the game through Discovery Plus. You’ll need to sign up for Premium tier, which costs £31/month, to access TNT Sports. This plan also unlocks Champions League, Premier League, Grand Tour cycling, UFC, motorsports, and more.
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers from anywhere
If you’re traveling away from home and unable to access your usual streaming options, it might be time to try a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs let people alter their virtual location so that their usual websites and apps work from anywhere. The services we’ve recommended require country-specific payment methods, so this option will work best for Americans who are simply abroad at the moment.
Not sure where to start when it comes to VPNs? Time and time again, ExpressVPN is our top recommendation. It’s an easy-to-use option with tons of servers and a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. You can check out our ExpressVPN review for the full details, and see below to learn how to use a VPN.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.
How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don’t already have one.Install it on the device you’re using to watch.Turn it on and set it to the location of your streaming service.Sign up for one of the above streaming services.Enjoy the game!
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming on Business Insider’s Reviews team. A lifelong entertainment and media buff, she specializes in helping you find how to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sporting events.ExperienceLillian has been writing about entertainment, sports, TV, and film for over six years, starting her career in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe. She went on to write entertainment features, roundups, and conduct celebrity interviews for publications like Vulture, TV Guide, Esquire, Time, and The Daily Beast before joining Business Insider as a streaming specialist. In her current role, she writes about everything from finding the right VPN for watching overseas soccer games to choosing between the endless number of streaming services out there. When she’s not writing, she is editing stories from freelancers or fellow Reviews team members. Lillian is also an expert deal hunter. She loves the thrill of sharing an amazing discount with readers, whether it be on her favorite streaming services or on products she knows our team loves and recommends. She plays an active role in writing about sales and deals for the Reviews team.Why you can trust LillianWhether she’s testing streaming platform interfaces or actively comparing channel offerings between services, Lillian always has her finger on the pulse of what’s new in entertainment. She has tested nearly every streaming service and is an expert when it comes to VPNs. She is the first person to know when a streaming service has changed its price, and whether or not it’s still worth paying for. As a sports fan, she also knows exactly where the next big playoff game is streaming, what time it starts, and where they’re playing. ExpertiseStreaming services How to watch your favorite films, TV, sports VPN services for legal streamingDealsOutside of workMost of the time, you can find Lillian watching a horror movie, WNBA game (go Liberty!), or long-distance running. She is located in Boston.
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