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The North Star Report · Morning

Wolves Cut to the Bone and Turn to a Wednesday Night in Miami

Five names are gone, the two-way slot is open, and ESPN carries the opener at the Heat on Wednesday.

Anthony EdwardsLast season: 28.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.7 ast in 61 games
By the Timberwolves Nightly Desk · Monday, October 19

Minnesota spent the weekend finishing its roster work. Timberwolves.com and RealGM confirmed that Norchad Omier, Antonio Reeves, Drew Timme, KJ Martin and Enrique Freeman were waived on Saturday, leaving the Wolves with a two-way slot to fill.

Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards. Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Who Is Left

Sixteen players remain on the list, from Edwards and LaMelo Ball to the 19-year-old Joan Beringer and the rookie Isaiah Evans. Evans scored 21 in the Chicago finale, but the Wolves lost it 133-116. Dunking with Wolves argued that Minnesota should bring Timme back for the open two-way spot. That is their opinion, and no move has been reported.

Wednesday in Miami

The opener is Wednesday, October 21, at the Heat, on ESPN. Orlando follows on Friday, and Toronto visits on Sunday, October 25, on NBA TV. Rocco Zikarsky is day-to-day with an undisclosed issue and an estimated return of October 21, so his status will be clear by tip-off. Donte DiVincenzo is listed out with a right Achilles injury, with an estimated return of April 2, 2027.

The Number and the Question

Minnesota lost its last two preseason games by 22 and 17 points, which tells us little about October but something about how little the starters played. The better number is last season's 112.5 defensive rating, eighth in the league, behind a 49-33 record. The question is whether a Ball-led backcourt can keep the defense there. Canis Hoopus is already calling this the start of the AntBall era. The first real answer comes in Miami.

When do the Timberwolves open the 2026-27 season?

Minnesota opens Wednesday, October 21, at the Miami Heat, on ESPN. It then plays at Orlando on October 23.

Which players did the Timberwolves waive?

The Wolves waived Norchad Omier, Antonio Reeves, Drew Timme, KJ Martin and Enrique Freeman. The cuts opened a two-way slot.

By the Timberwolves Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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