Timberwolves-Bucks game moves to ESPN with later start
The NBA announced on Wednesday that the Timberwolves’ Feb. 23 home game against the Milwaukee Bucks will now be televised on ESPN and will start at 9 p.m. local time instead of the originally scheduled 7 p.m. start.
The Timberwolves’ home game the following night against the Brooklyn Nets will also have a later start time, moving from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
While a 9 p.m. home start is certainly less than ideal for Wolves fans, it makes sense the league would want Timberwolves-Bucks on national television. Minnesota at 33-14 remains the top team in the Western Conference, while Milwaukee is second in the Eastern Conference after a 32-15 start to the season.
The two teams meet just twice in the regular season, with both games coming up in February. The Timberwolves visit Milwaukee for a 7 p.m. tilt on Feb. 8, with the Feb. 23 matchup the only other meeting between the two teams, unless they happen to both reach the NBA Finals in June.
It will also be a compelling battle of offense versus defense. The Timberwolves have touted the top-ranked defense in the NBA for most of the season, while the Bucks currently boast the third-best offensive rating in the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Dec. 30, 2022.
Jeff Hanisch / USA TODAY Sports
