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After missing NBA Cup playoffs, Wolves add two games to schedule

Minnesota's 82-game schedule has been filled out with two additional games in December.
Nov 26, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA;Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Nov 26, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA;Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

After imploding in the NBA Cup group stage, the Minnesota Timberwolves missed the third annual in-season tournament and have instead been given two additional regular-season games that will be played during next week's Cup playoffs.

Minnesota will play at Golden State on Friday, Dec. 12, at 9 p.m. CT, and then host Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. CT.

While the Timberwolves won't be competing for the award money in the NBA Cup playoffs, they do get a nice consolation prize with two games against lesser opponents. Golden State is 10-10 and struggling, while the Kings are 5-15 and one of the worst teams in the NBA this season.

That said, the Timberwolves have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. They're 0-7 against teams above .500, and 10-1 against teams with records under .500. They also embarrassingly lost to the Kings last week when they blew a late lead in the fourth quarter and fell in overtime.

That loss came after the Wolves blew an eight-point lead in the final 50 seconds of the fourth quarter against Phoenix. Had they not collapsed in Phoenix, they would've likely advanced to the NBA Cup playoffs and been set to face Oklahoma City in the semifinals on Dec. 12.

At 10-8 overall, the Wolves get another chance to earn their first win against a winning team when they host the Boston Celtics, who are also 10-8, at 4 p.m. CT Saturday in Minneapolis.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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