The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night in an exciting interconference matchup at the Target Center. Minnesota enters this contest with a solid 20-11 record, looking to recover from a heart-wrenching overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day. In that game, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards shone brightly, scoring 44 points and pulling down six rebounds, while teammate Julius Randle contributed 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
On the opposite end, the Brooklyn Nets come into the game with a 9-19 record, having secured a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Michael Porter Jr. spearheaded the win with 28 points and five rebounds, while Egor Demin added 20 points and five assists to help the Nets snap a rough stretch.
Both teams are eager to capitalize on this matchup, which becomes more intriguing due to injury concerns. The Nets have only one player ruled out—Haywood Highsmith, who continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. However, the return of sharpshooter Cam Thomas is a significant boost for Brooklyn, as he will be available after missing time with a hamstring strain. Additionally, Drake Powell will also return after missing two games due to an ankle injury.
On the Timberwolves’ side, they face uncertainty with four players on their injury report, including key figures Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley. Fortunately for Minnesota, Edwards has been deemed available despite experiencing right shoulder soreness, bolstering their offensive lineup. Conley will also play after being listed as available, ensuring that both will seek to lead the Timberwolves against Brooklyn. However, the status of Rob Dillingham remains questionable due to illness, and Terrence Shannon Jr. is out due to a foot injury.
As both teams aim to improve their standings, the Timberwolves will look to harness their home-court advantage. Fans can tune in to watch the game at 8:00 p.m. EST, hoping for a thrilling contest that could shape the rest of the season for both franchises.