There is a lot of optimism surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves heading into the 2022-23 NBA season after the team made the postseason following last season. They will be looking to build off of that performance in their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City showed more of a willingness this offseason to rebuild their roster, signing Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams to lucrative multi-year extensions.
However, it could be another lengthy, losing season for the Thunder with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren, already being announced out for his entire first season.
How To Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Date: October 19th, 2022
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
TV Channel: Bally Sports Southwest (OKC), Bally Sports North (MIN)
Radio: WWLS-The Sports Animal 98.1 FM (OKC), WCCO 830 AM (MIN)
Injury Report For Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report: Chet Holmgren – Out (Right Foot Surgery)
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report: Eric Paschall – Out (Left Ankle/Achilles Tendinosis)
Expected Starting Lineups For Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder Expected Starting Lineup: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G Josh Giddy, F Lu Dort, F Aleksej Pokuševski, C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Minnesota Timberwolves Expected Starting Lineup: G D’Angelo Russell, G Anthony Edwards, F Jaden McDaniel, F Karl-Anthony Towns, C Rudy Gobert
Betting Odds For Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Spread: Timberwolves -10.5
Over/Under Total: 225 Points
Moneylines: Thunder +460, Timberwolves -650
A lot of the excitement was sapped from the Oklahoma City Thunder when Chet Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury while playing in the CrawsOver, the Seattle Pro-Am hosted by Jamal Crawford. It’s a tough blow not having him in the lineup, but the Thunder have the makings of a good nucleus with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams.
They will have their hands full tonight facing off with the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves. This will be the debut of their new frontcourt pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.
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Gobert was acquired from the Utah Jazz in the offseason in exchange for five players, four first-round picks and a pick swap as Minnesota hopes he can fix their defensive issues.
The Thunder and Timberwolves faced off four times last season and Minnesota swept the series. The last time Oklahoma City defeated Minnesota was back on March 22nd, 2021.
