Timberwolves schedule to be released Thursday afternoon. Here’s what we already know

The wait is almost over, Wolves fans — No, unfortunately, not for the start of the season. The full schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season will be released Thursday afternoon.

It’s a highly anticipated announcement in the dog days of the offseason, especially for fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are coming off their first appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 20 years.

Here’s what we already know about Minnesota’s 2024 slate.

Expect more nationally televised games

Last season, the Timberwolves had 10 games on national TV, but half were on NBATV, leaving just three on ESPN and two on TNT. Expect those latter two numbers to go up this season after the team not only proved itself as a contender but gave the world a bigger stage for young superstar Anthony Edwards to shine.

Opening-night in LA

One reported nationally televised game will be on opening night.

The Athletic’ s Shams Charania says the Wolves will play the Los Angeles Lakers in LA on Oct. 22. That will be one of just two games on opening night, following the New York Knicks at the Boston Celtics .

Minnesota went 3-2 against the Lakers last season, but it’ll be new coach JJ Redick’s first time running the show in LA.

Christmas in Dallas?

“The Ant Effect” may also get the Wolves a nationally televised game on Christmas Day, per NBA insider Marc Stein .

What’s better than celebrating the holiday season with a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals?

NBA Cup slate set

The NBA’s second in-season tournament is set , with Minnesota part of Group A, along with the Houston Rockets , Los Angeles Clippers , Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings .

Minnesota’s schedule for the tourney is as follows:

• at Portland on Nov. 12 at 9 p.m.
• at Sacramento on Nov. 15 at 9 p.m.
• vs. Houston on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.
• vs. Clippers on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

While there is prize money at stake for the players, those games all count toward regular-season standings, except the championship game.

The full schedule is expected to be announced early in the afternoon.