The exhibition slate is finished, and so is the guessing about who makes the regular-season roster. Minnesota opens at the Heat on Wednesday with a leaner bench and a full slate of winnable games still to prove itself against.
Four Games, Six Days
Minnesota opens the 2026-27 season Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Heat on ESPN, the first game that will actually count after a preseason that closed 1-2. The Wolves beat the Knicks 122-104 on Oct. 12, lost at home to the Pistons 106-128 on Oct. 14, then fell 116-133 at the Bulls on Oct. 16. The week ahead keeps moving: Orlando hosts the Magic on Oct. 23, Target Center welcomes the Raptors for an NBA TV date on Oct. 25, and Cleveland closes the stretch on Oct. 26. Four games in six days leaves little room to ease into a new rotation.
A Leaner Roster
Minnesota's roster is a touch leaner than it was a week ago. The team waived Enrique Freeman, Norchad Omier, Antonio Reeves, Drew Timme and KJ Martin on Oct. 18, a day after Hoopsrumors reported the cuts would open a spot on the two-way contract tier. The moves settle the training-camp battle for a bench spot without any public ranking of who beat whom. Payroll still sits at $215.3 million, above the first apron, with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels carrying the four largest salaries.
Health Check
Health is mostly good news heading into Miami. Rocco Zikarsky is questionable with an undisclosed issue but is targeted to return for the Oct. 21 opener, giving Chris Finch a full frontcourt rotation to choose from. Donte DiVincenzo remains out with a right Achilles injury and is not expected back until April 2027, a long runway that puts more minutes on Ayo Dosunmu and the rest of Minnesota's backcourt from the start.
When does the Timberwolves' season actually start?
Minnesota opens the 2026-27 regular season at Miami on Wednesday, Oct. 21, broadcast on ESPN.
Who is out for the Timberwolves right now?
Donte DiVincenzo is out with a right Achilles injury and isn't expected back until April 2027; Rocco Zikarsky is questionable but targeted for the Oct. 21 opener.
