Anthony Edwards scored 30 points and Julius Randle added 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away in the fourth quarter and beat the Sacramento Kings 124-110 in an NBA Cup game Friday night.
Donte DiVincenzo made five 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Timberwolves, who have won four in a row and are 2-0 in the NBA Cup. Naz Reid had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota.
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 34 points and 11 rebounds. Zach LaVine scored 25 points, while Russell Westbrook extended his NBA record with his 205th career triple-double, posting 13 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.
Sacramento, which gave up a season-high 144 points in a loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday, has lost five straight overall and is 0-2 in the NBA Cup.
Leading 92-91 after three quarters, the Wolves started the fourth on an 11-2 run, keyed by two DiVincenzo 3-pointers, the second coming after Jaden McDaniels rebounded a Randle missed free throw and found DiVincenzo, who buried a 32-foot shot to make it 103-94.
After two quick buckets by the Kings, the Wolves went on a 16-2 run to break the game open. Rudy Gobert had a dunk and a tip-in on consecutive possessions as Minnesota pulled away.
The Timberwolves led by as many as 11 in the first quarter, but the Kings came back and took a 49-47 lead on an alley-oop layup from Westbrook to LaVine.
Up next
Timberwolves: Host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Kings: At the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
NOTE: The attached video first aired on Nov. 13, 2025.
Anthony Edwards scored 37 points and Julius Randle added 19 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Utah Jazz 137-97 in an NBA Cup game Friday night.
Edwards, in his second game back after missing four games with a strained hamstring, shot 7 for 12 from 3-point distance.
Randle was just one rebound shy of completing his triple-double in the first half as Minnesota built a 79-45 lead at the break. He had his second triple-double of the week after accomplishing the feat Monday in a win at Brooklyn.
Jaden McDaniels had 22 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves, who shot a season-high 56.8% from the floor.
Keyonte George led Utah with 18 points and Lauri Markkanen added 12 for the Jazz, who shot 37.2% from the field and allowed a season-high point total. Utah allowed at least 134 points for the third time in nine games this season.
Second-year point guard Isaiah Collier made his season debut after missing Utah’s first eight games with a strained hamstring.
Edwards started quickly, hitting two 3-pointers and a 12-foot step-back jumper in the 90 seconds. He scored 14 points to help Minnesota race out to a 43-15 lead after one quarter.
The game was Minnesota’s first in the NBA Cup. The Jazz slipped to 0-2 in the competition. The teams are part of the Western Conference Group A along with Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Sacramento.
It doesn’t look like Disney-owned channels including ABC and ESPN will be returning to YouTube TV anytime soon. The Walt Disney Co. pulled its channels from YouTube TV as of midnight on Oct. 30 after the two companies failed to reach new terms on their latest carriage agreement. While big sporting events are often where the rubber meets the road on these channel blackouts, YouTube TV subscribers were unable to see any college football games on ABC or ESPN all weekend, and it looks like anyone hoping to watch tonight’s Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys will suffer the same fate: YouTube TV management has officially rebuffed Disney’s request for a 24-hour restoration of its channels in a blog post — ostensibly to offer coverage of Tuesday’s elections — proposing instead that Disney reactivate the feeds for ABC and ESPN while negotiations continue.
YouTube TV had previously stated that if Disney’s channels remain off the platform for an extended period, customers will receive a $20 monthly credit. That’s all fine and good, but if you’re looking to watch tonight’s game or your favorite shows — including Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy and Dancing with the Stars, or Wednesday’s NBA games — you’ll need to seek out alternative viewing methods. And unfortunately for YouTube TV’s negotiating position, there are plenty of options.
One of the cheapest ways to watch ESPN is with a Sling Day Pass — for just $5/day, you can tune into any and all ESPN programming, including Monday Night Football, with no other commitments. If you want a full switch from YouTube TV, there’s Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, or Fubo, where you can watch all the Disney-owned channels. (Remember, unlike a lot of cable plans, you can easily pause or cancel YouTube TV or any of these alternatives, so long as you have month-to-month subscriptions.) If you’re looking for a workaround to watch ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC and more, here’s are the best options so you won’t miss a moment of sports, news, or entertainment, all pulled from our list of best live TV streaming services to cut cable.
Grab an ESPN bundle so you won’t miss the NFL, NBA or any other games
For $29.99, the ESPN unlimited package includes access to all of ESPN’s linear networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNews and ESPN Deportes, plus access to programming on ABC, ESPN+ content, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. That means fans will get coverage of more than 47,000 live events each year, on-demand replays, original programming and more so you won’t miss a single Monday Night Football game or any weekend college football game on ABC or ESPN’s suite of channels. Plus, you can watch your favorite ABC shows the day after they air.
Right now, for a limited time, you can bundle ESPN unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu and pay $29.99/month for 12 months — that’s like getting those other services free for a year. Even if you’re a current subscriber to Disney+, Hulu or even the bundle, you can still upgrade to this great deal.
Hulu’s live TV tier includes access to live TV channels like ESPN, ABC, NBC, Fox, and access to Disney+ and ESPN select. For a limited time, you can get a hefty discount on the service for 3 months. New and eligible returning subscribers (those who have not been Hulu subscribers in the past month) can sign up for Hulu + Live TV (with ads) for $64.99/month for their first three months. This is an especially great value considering that Hulu and Disney+ increased their prices on Oct. 21.
You’ll also enjoy access to unlimited DVR storage, the ability to stream on multiple devices and more. This special rate ends at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Nov. 5.
After the three-month trial period, your subscription will continue at the regular market rate of $89.99, but if you’re looking for an alternative to YouTube TV, now’s the perfect time to take advantage of this deal. (If the YouTube situation is resolved before the weekend is up, you can also just sign up for a 3-day trial of Hulu + Live TV).
Try Fubo free for a week and get $30 your first month
If you’re looking for a stopgap so you won’t miss any major games or shows this weekend, Fubo is offering a free 7-day trial so you can check out everything the platform has to offer, risk-free, and on top of that, you can get $30 off your first month.
Fubo TV gives you access to ESPN, Fox, ABC, CBS, NFL Network, and 100+ more live channels. At $80/month, the live TV streaming service is definitely a big investment but it’s one of the most comprehensive ways to watch live TV including the new NCAA season, the NFL, MLB and more, and still leaves you with major savings compared to a traditional cable package. Fubo subscribers also get 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage.
Try DirecTV free for 5 days, and get $30 off your first month
DirecTV offers loads of great live channels, which means you can watch thousands of live sporting events, live TV and more with a regular subscription. And right now, for a limited time, you can get a $20 bill credit off your first month when you sign up, plus at least $10 more off per month for your first 24 months with a DirecTV Choice, Ultimate or Premier package — that’s over $250 in savings. You can find information on every package here.
Right now you can also get a free 5-day trial to test out the platform.
You may have heard that Sling offers day, weekend and week passes to its streaming programming for as little as $5 per day. That is an option if you’re looking for just some of the ESPN channels (the Sling Orange tier), but ABC isn’t included. (If you’re just looking to catch one of this week’s big games, like Monday Night Football on ESPN, it’s a great short-term solution.) If you want a longer-term solution, you can get both ESPN and ABC with Sling’s Orange and Blue package ($30 a month to start, $61 thereafter), but you’ll need to add on the Sports Extra package for ESPNU, which requires an additional charge.
Get your local Disney/ABC programming for free
Need your local ABC programming? Your station may have its own free local streaming news channel (many do), you can see if The Roku Channel carries your local station’s news, or download your local news station app if it’s a Nexstar channel.
The other alternative — if you’re within the broadcast radius of a local ABC affiliate — is to get an over-the-air antenna. You can plug in your ZIP code at antennaweb.org to see what channels are in your area. This off-brand unit has worked very well in our initial testing — it’s under $30, and the channels are truly free.
What games are on ESPN/ABC this week?
If you’re wondering what games you might miss as a result of the YouTubeTV/Disney blackout, here’s a list of some upcoming sports you may not want to miss:
Monday, Nov. 3
Monday Night Football: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
Wednesday, Nov. 5
NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
NBA: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Update Nov. 3 2025, 6:36PM ET: This story has been updated to include YouTube TV’s latest response to Disney’s request to restore its channels for just 24 hours.
The recent Los Angeles Lakers clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves provided plenty of drama and a thrilling finish. Another impressive performance from Austin Reaves, including the eventual game-winner in the lane, helped the Lakers grab a necessary win with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and other key players out.
Another individual who stepped up mightily and caught the attention of Timberwolves fans is Jake LaRavia. While LaRavia started the season as a reserve who’d step in when necessary, he’s appeared in the team’s starting lineup for multiple games due to the Lakers’ injuries.
Minnesota’s arena became a stage for LaRavia to show his full abilities. While Reaves finished with 28 points, his friend and teammate was right behind him with 27 points. LaRavia also put on a shooting clinic, missing just one of his eleven field goals, which was one of the six three-pointers he took.
The result was Reaves and LaRavia combining for an impressive performance in the Lakers’ win. In the process of LaRavia’s fantastic night, he also received some brutal trash talk courtesy of Anthony Edwards, after some assistance from a Timberwolves fan.
During a quieter moment during the game’s fourth quarter, a fan blurted out, “Who is number 12?” prompting Edwards to respond from his seat on the bench.
“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t know!” Ant dramatically yelled out, replying to the fan’s question while looking over towards the players on the court.
LaRavia was shown on camera during the moment, and seemingly absorbed the wild roast courtesy of one of the game’s biggest and most entertaining rising stars.
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Ironically, LaRavia was the No. 19 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft for Minnesota. However, he never played for the Timberwolves because they traded his draft rights to the Memphis Grizzlies for other picks.
LaRavia, a former Wake Forest player, spent three seasons with the Grizzlies before heading to the Sacramento Kings for last season. However, the Lakers’ front office and coach JJ Redick liked what they saw from LaRavia and found a way to sign him.
Amid Wednesday night’s incredible performance by Reaves and the Lakers, the NBA also shared a highlight clip of LaRavia, giving casual fans a better sense of what he’s capable of.
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While talking to reporters postgame, LaRavia credited his friend and teammate, Reaves, for finding him for open shots. Reaves finished the game with 15 assists. He also told reporters that members of the Lakers staff wanted him to “be more aggressive.”
Rob Pelinka and Redick’s instincts seem to have paid off with LaRavia, who potentially showed what he can do in a game when he’s scorching hot from the field. Amid Luka and LeBron’s absences, if LaRavia can compile more big games like that, expect more fans to know exactly who he is.
MINNEAPOLIS — Big KAT is officially headed to the Big Apple.
The Minnesota Timberwolves formally announced on Wednesday a trade sending former franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. In a three-team trade, the Wolves received Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Keita Bates-Diop and a first-round pick, while also sending a second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets.
“Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home, and its people would become my family,” Towns said. “Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be.
Towns, 28, was the first No. 1 overall pick in Wolves history when they took him in 2015. He won Rookie of the Year that season, despite the Wolves finishing near the bottom of the league. Towns’ first few years were marked by mediocre Wolves teams, until head coach Chris Finch and Anthony Edwards arrived to turn the franchise around.
Towns is first in Wolves history in three-pointers made and second in minutes played, points and points per game. He ranks right behind franchise legend Kevin Garnett in career win shares.
While Towns arguably never developed into the superstar a No. 1 overall pick is expected to, he is still among the league’s best players and settled nicely into his role in the Wolves’ big three with Edwards and Rudy Gobert. In last year’s playoffs run — the team’s best in two decades — his defense on league MVP Nikola Jokic, as well as his scoring prowess, proved to be difference makers in the team’s series win over the Denver Nuggets.
In DiVincenzo, the Wolves are getting a badly-needed elite three-point shooter, which should help elevate an offense that finished middle of the pack last year.
Randle is likely to slide into Towns’ starting role next to Gobert in the frontcourt, though fan favorite Naz Reid is sure to get minutes there, as well.
Bates-Diop — originally a Timberwolves draft pick in 2018 — has become a journeyman role-player in the league and gives the Wolves more depth on the bench.
The Wolves start the season Oct. 22 in Los Angeles against the Lakers. They’ll take on Towns and the Knicks on Dec. 19.
MINNEAPOLIS — WCCO has confirmed the Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Karl-Anthony Towns to New York Knicks.
A source told WCCO Sports Director Mike Max that, in return, the Timberwolves will reportedly get Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. According to the Associated Press, the wolves will also receive a first-round draft pick.
Towns was drafted first overall by the Timberwolves in 2015 and has spent his entire career with Minnesota.
The upside for the 7-footer is a return to his roots, having grown up in New Jersey. He’ll also be reunited with coach Tom Thibodeau, who spent 2 1/2 seasons with Minnesota after being hired in Towns’ second year.
Despite suffering a torn meniscus in March, Towns averaged over 21 points and eight rebounds per game during the regular season.
In return, the Wolves are getting back an three-time all-star power forward in Randle and a sharpshooter in DiVincenzo.
Randle was drafted seventh overall in 2014 by the Los Angeles Lakers, but has spent the last five seasons with the Knicks. He averaged 24 points and just over nine rebounds in 46 games last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The Knicks said then that Randle would be re-evaluated in five months. Asked last week if Randle would be fully ready for camp, Thibodeau said, “Uh, yeah, I think so.”
DiVincenzo is a 2018 first round draft pick and has spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors and the Knicks. He made just over 40% of his 3-point attempts in 81 games in New York last season.
The Timberwolves are coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance and a regular season record of 56-25, their second-best in franchise history. The team’s first preseason game is Friday, Oct. 4 against the Lakers, with regular season play beginning Oct. 22.
Towns will make his return to Target Center on Thursday, Dec. 19 when The Timberwolves host the Knicks.
Let’s continue our Sixers Ties series — evaluating all connections to the team across the NBA — by heading to the Western Conference’s Northwest Division that features a few noteworthy former Sixers players and some other folks who are in some way linked to the team:
The player on Portland’s roster who is still remembered as a Sixer is Matisse Thybulle, who the team traded up for during the 2019 NBA Draft and watched blossom into one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA right off the bat. Thybulle’s inability to develop any sort of offensive utility after more than three years finally led the Sixers to move on, and they traded him to the Blazers in a three-team trade that netted them Jaden McDaniels — who also failed to become a reliable contributor. Thybulle became a restricted free agent the next summer, and signed a three-year offer sheet with a player option in the final season worth a hair over $33 million with the Dallas Mavericks. Portland opted to match the deal.
But the Blazers also have a far more successful former Sixer on their roster. Who would have thought that when the Sixers drafted an athletic, toolsy wing with limited offensive skill with the No. 39 overall pick in 2014, Jerami Grant would become a 20-point-per-game scorer who, at the end of his current contract will have made over $242 million in career earnings?
Grant’s offensive development has truly been astounding. When he was able to develop into a competent player on that end of the floor who could hang his hat on defense, it seemed like he had hit his 100th percentile outcome. And then a stunning leap as a scorer came, and now here we are: over the last four seasons, Grant has averaged 20.8 points per game on 57.4 true shooting.
Trading Grant in 2016 for Ersan Ilyasova and a future first-round pick is not exactly something the Sixers will regret, though, as that draft pick turned into a player you might have heard of.
Denver Nuggets
It was a difficult offseason for the Nuggets, who watched starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope depart in free agency without the ability to replace him externally. First-round pick DaRon Holmes II tore his Achilles. And because they have already made so many large financial commitments, they had very little spending power. Outside of veteran’s minimum contracts, the Nuggets could sign a free agent to the taxpayer’s mid-level exception — worth a maximum of two years at just under $10.6 million.
With that money, the Nuggets signed a new backup center: old friend Ďario Sarić, who has a second-year player option. Sarić joined the Golden State Warriors last season, opening the year as their backup center but eventually falling out of the rotation in favor of promising rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis. Sarić is a similar archetype of center to Nikola Jokić in that he is a passing-oriented big man, so perhaps the Nuggets were looking to create some stylistic continuity across their units. But considering this was their only way to spend above the minimum, it is hard to imagine that signing a declining version of Sarić was their most prudent path.
A note: the Nuggets were in nearly the exact same position last summer, and used the tax MLE on a player who many were similarly skeptical about being worth the money. A year later, the team had to trade three second-round picks to shed the second year of their contract when the player option they put in the deal was executed. Weeks later, the player was bought out by the team that took on his money and became a free agent again. And that is how Reggie Jackson became a member of the Sixers.
Behind Jokić andSarić in Denver’s center rotation is former Sixer DeAndre Jordan, who for the third consecutive season will play for the minimum with the Nuggets. Jordan has been lauded for his locker room presence during his career, and that praise has never been louder than during his time in Denver.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Coming off a remarkable rise to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in 2023-24, the Thunder made significant improvements this offseason as they look to become perennial championship contenders. Their first move was to trade weak link Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, an all-world defender and much-improved three-point shooter. The one-for-one swap shocked many, and it will make the Thunder considerably better on both ends of the floor. Before breaking out as a legitimate NBA player with the Los Angeles Lakers, the undrafted Caruso played for the 2016 Summer League Sixers.
The Sixers selected Arkansas sharpshooter Isaiah Joe with the No. 49 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but ultimately decided they did not have enough time to observe his developmental process. They waived him after two seasons, but he quickly landed on his feet with the Thunder and almost immediately became the exact player the Sixers had hoped: an accurate three-point shooter on massive volume who can change the complexion of an offense with his presence alone. Joe was rewarded with a four-year, $48 million deal to remain in Oklahoma City this offseason, a worthy reward for a good player.
When the Sixers used some leftover cap space to absorb Wilson Chandler’s expiring contract from the Nuggets in 2018, they received two second-round picks for their trouble — one of them being a 2021 second-rounder. That pick ended up being rerouted a year and a half later, when the Sixers sent it to the Golden State Warriors as part of the package that netted them both Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III.
The following offseason, Golden State sent the pick and another future second-rounder to Oklahoma City. And with the No. 55 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Thunder selected Aaron Wiggins, an impressive young player who earned a five-year, $45 million deal this offseason as he enters his fourth NBA season. Wiggins is a quality rotation wing who, along with Joe, have helped the Thunder become one of the single deepest teams in the NBA.
By the way, when Golden State traded those two second-rounders to Oklahoma City, one became Wiggins, and the other became Miles “Deuce” McBride, who has emerged as an excellent young player for the New York Knicks. Those two second-rounders were traded for… Kelly Oubre Jr. It’s a small world!
The Sixers and Thunder will be keeping eyes on each other for the next couple of years. The Thunder own the Sixers’ 2025 first-round pick (as long as it does not somehow fall in the top eight), and there is a good chance the Sixers will end up with Oklahoma City’s first-rounder in 2026. The Sixers will receive the least favorable first-round pick out of Oklahoma City’s, that of the Los Angeles Clippers and that of the Houston Rockets in two years from now. It is a strong bet that the Thunder will be the best of those teams.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves do not currently have any players with connections to the Sixers on their roster, but Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has a long history with Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.
Nurse and Finch have been coaching with and against each other for nearly three decades. They have had rivalries and been each other’s assistants over many years, and have both spoken extensively about their friendship.
Most recently, Finch was an assistant coach for Nurse with the Toronto Raptors before he got his first NBA head coaching job in Minnesota.
Utah Jazz
Signing a nine-time All-Star in Paul George is the most significant addition the Sixers made this offseason, but he is not the only starting-caliber they signed in free agency: the team waited out Caleb Martin and signed him a four-year deal worth just over $35 million that is considered well-below his true market value.
Adding Martin, though, would not have been possible if the Sixers could not create nearly $8 million in cap space at the drop of a hat. That is exactly what they did when they waived Paul Reed, who was claimed by the Detroit Pistons.
When teams sign restricted free agents to offer sheets, they get creative in how they structure the deals as they try to dissuade the player’s incumbent organization from matching the offer. So, last offseason, the Jazz pursued Reed and secured an agreement on an unconventional three-year deal with an atypical incentive-based structure: if whatever team Reed played for advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs, all three years of the contract would be guaranteed; if it did not, the second and third seasons of the deal would be non-guaranteed until mid-January of each season.
The Sixers were largely expected to at least win one playoff series and the Jazz were not — Utah’s goal was to craft a contract that was only a one-year commitment for them, but a three-year commitment for the Sixers should they choose to match the offer sheet.
In case you have not heard, the Sixers did end up losing in the first round of last season’s playoffs — suddenly, Reed’s future in Philadelphia was in doubt. And when Martin became available — with veteran Andre Drummond already secured on a deal to return to the Sixers — it was a no-brainer to waive Reed.
The Sixers rounded out their starting lineup this summer by signing a battle-tested, tough-minded, two-way wing in Martin. And it would not have happened if the Jazz had not gotten creative but come up unsuccessful in their quest to sign Reed last summer.
Thanks to Thursday night’s impressive blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, the Dallas Mavericks are headed to the NBA Finals. That’s where the Luka Doncic-led squad will face off against the Boston Celtics…
MINNEAPOLIS — Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for his high this postseason, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday night to breeze through the Western Conference finals in five games.
Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks, who built a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting to deflate the once-energized crowd before most fans got up for their first snack break. The Mavs went up by as much as 36 in the third quarter, all the while keeping the Timberwolves offense all out of whack.
The Mavs, who had the fifth seed in the West, have a full week to rest before the NBA Finals begin in Boston on June 6 for the franchise’s first appearance since winning the championship in 2011. The Celtics will have had 10 days between games after sweeping Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
David Berding / Getty Images
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the third-seeded Wolves, who met their match with the defense-smashing duo of Doncic and Irving after stifling Phoenix in a first-round sweep and then dethroning defending champion Denver in a seven-game series.
Irving improved to 15-1 in his career in closeout games in the playoffs.
Doncic set a defiant tone by starting 4 for 4, hitting rainbows from 28 and 31 feet as he turned to talk trash to the courtside fans with each swish, often with a sly smile. He drained a 32-footer later in a first quarter as the Mavs closed on a 17-1 spurt, a run they pushed to 28-5 over a nine-minute stretch.
It was Doncic’s second 20-point quarter in his postseason career, following a 21-point fourth quarter in the Western Conference finals loss to Golden State in 2022.
Doncic, who shot 14 for 22 and grabbed 10 rebounds, and his savvy sidekick Irving, who has a championship ring from 2016 with Cleveland, were the superior stars in this series as this Wolves team found its first taste of a sustained postseason run to be a bitter — but perhaps ultimately beneficial — one.
Though he familiarly and persistently waved his arms at the officials almost every time a whistle didn’t go his way, the 25-year-old Doncic played with an unshakeable confidence and unflappable joy from start to finish. As he was taunted by the fans with a “Flopper!” chant when he shot free throws in the third quarter, Doncic smiled and mockingly mouthed the words along with them.
Edwards, though he hit the 25-point mark for the 15th time in 27 career playoff games, had trouble finding his rhythm amid all the double-teams. The Wolves, for all their progress this season, were reminded they don’t yet have a championship offense despite his dynamic skills and clutch mentality.
They had several wince-inducing possessions in the decisive first half, with the coaches struggling to find a group that could play in sync together.
As the final seconds of the second quarter ticked away, Edwards drove to the lane and kicked the ball to the corner to Kyle Anderson, who swung it back to Towns on the wing and failed to find a look he liked. He passed back to Anderson, who tried to move closer and had the shot clock expire on him.
P.J. Washington, who had 12 points, flexed his arms in celebration of yet another stifling defensive sequence by the Mavs.
The Mavs got 7-foot-1 rookie Dereck Lively II back from the sprained neck that kept him out of the previous game, restoring the complete rim protection duo with Daniel Gafford that helped them disrupt Rudy Gobert in the post and just about everyone else who tried to attack the basket.
Gafford had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Lively added nine points and eight rebounds.
MINNEAPOLIS — Facing a never-before-overcome 3-0 deficit in the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves and their fans could use some positivity right now.
Luckily, the owner of “bringyaass.com” is here to provide it.
The domain, purchased by writer Jon Savitt after Anthony Edwards shouted the phrase during a postgame interview with Charles Barkley, sends visitors to the YouTube video for Starship’s “It’s Not Over (‘Til It’s Over).”
“The odds are against us, they say we don’t stand a chance,” Mickey Thomas sings in the video. “Well, there’s no givin’ up, no givin’ in.”
After an opening round sweep of the Phoenix Suns and a thrilling comeback win in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, the Wolves are in a nigh unclimbable hole against the Dallas Mavericks. No team has ever come back down 3-0 in the conference finals. The Wolves are well acquainted with historic comebacks, though — they overcame a 20-point deficit in that series-clinching win over the Nuggets, the largest in Game 7 history.
“Bring ya ass” entered the lexicon of Timberwolves fans when Barkley told Edwards he hadn’t been to Minneapolis in 20 years and asked for restaurant recommendations. Bringyaass.com originally redirected to the Explore Minnesota site.
MINNEAPOLIS — Optimism among many Timberwolves fans is still high heading into Sunday’s pivotal Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks.
One of the reasons for that is Naz Reid, the team’s sixth man who’s become a cult hero during this playoff run.
Kyle Dennis is such a big fan that he spray-painted “Naz Reid” in giant letters on the garage of his home in St. Francis.
“I’ve had some people driving by taking pictures, honking their horn, yelling, ‘Naz Reid’ out the window,” Dennis said.
Neighbors approve of the new garage art.
“At first I thought, ‘I don’t know what he’s doing,’” said Elyssia Tradewell, who lives across the street from Dennis. “[My husband’s] like, ‘I bet he’s doing a sign,’ but we didn’t know what the sign was for really, and then when it came up, we were like, ‘Ok, yeah!’”
Danny Stupca and his son, Thomas, made the trip from Minnetonka to Dallas for Game 3.
They booked their flight before Game 7 of the last round when the Wolves hadn’t even beaten the Denver Nuggets yet.
“Some of the best basketball memories I have with my dad was the Western Conference Finals back in 2004,” Stupca said. “I’ve had season tickets for a decade and a half, so it’s so cool to finally have the opportunity to bring my son to the game as well and recreate that experience for him.”
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Walz dubbed Wednesday “Wolves Back Day” with a 10-point proclamation that quickly went viral on social media.
In it, Walz cites Minnesota’s storied and troubled pro-basketball history, including how the five-championship-winning Minneapolis Lakers were “stolen by the coastal elites” and shipped to Los Angeles in 1960.
Office of Gov. Tim Walz
Naz Reid, who should probably get his own day, also gets the ultimate shoutout.
As a nod to Edwards’ epic comment, Walz’s office dropped in the ultimate Easter egg. Together, the first letters of each proclamation point spell out: “B-R-I-N-G-Y-A-A-S-S.”
The win also happened on the 20th anniversary of the Wolves’ first-ever Game 7 victory, when Kevin Garnett led the team to an 83-80 win over the Sacramento Kings. It also happened to be Garnett’s 48th birthday.
The Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers in overtime on Tuesday evening in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Whoever wins that series will face either the Wolves or Mavericks in the NBA finals.
Tipoff for Game 1 is at 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is May 21, 2024.
Stephen Swanson is a Web Producer at CBS Minnesota. A 20-year station veteran, Stephen was a floor director for a decade before moving to the newsroom, where he focuses on general assignment reporting.
MINNEAPOLIS — Two members of the NBA’s best regular season defense are being lauded for their efforts.
The NBA announced its All-Defensive teams on Tuesday. Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert made the first team, while teammate Jaden McDaniels was named to the second team.
Gobert’s inclusion is no surprise — he was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year this season, his fourth such award. He led the league in both defensive win shares and defensive rating.
McDaniels is one of the league’s lankiest and most energetic defenders. His pestering play led to highlight reel steals and forced turnovers all season, and he’s been a key contributor throughout the Wolves’ deep playoff run.
This is McDaniels’ first time on the All-Defensive team and Gobert’s seventh.
Overall, the Wolves ranked first in defensive rating and points allowed per game during the regular season. The defense has been nearly as stellar in the postseason. Opponents are averaging less than 100 points against them and no remaining team has more steals. Only the Boston Celtics have a better defensive rating among remaining teams, and their matchups have been much weaker than the Wolves’.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Timberwolves’ Sunday night victory to send the team to the Western Conference Finals has put a spotlight on Minneapolis and the state.
Part of the attention was fueled by Anthony Edwards during a postgame interview with Charles Barkley on TNT.
Barkley said he hadn’t been to Minnesota in 20 years.
“Bring ya ass,” Edwards immediately interjected.
The three words have proven to mean a lot to Minnesotans.
“In that moment, I think we all kind of felt something there,” said Jon Savitt, a comedian and lifelong fan.
Explore Minnesota pounced on the phrase to use as a new tourism slogan.
“We probably can’t afford [Edwards] as a spokesperson, but this is as good as we’ll get for that,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Explore Minnesota’s executive director. “It’s not easy to do something that quickly in government, but when it’s so much fun and you want to make sure that people see everything Minnesota has to offer, you make it work.”
Savitt helped boost state tourism too.
He bought the domain name www.bringyaass.com and directed it to Explore Minnesota’s website.
“I think it kind of gives all of us permission to be like, ‘Yeah, Minnesota is a place to be. It is a place you want to come to, not just to live but to travel to,’” said Savitt.
Fans agree that having a superstar like Edwards champion the city is special because Minnesotans can get a little defensive about where they’re from.
“We are not flyover country,” said Bennett McGinty.
“It’s not just a frozen tundra here all the time.” Lifelong fan Brock Sullivan told friends in Boston.
“Minnesota is so often overlooked, so I just love that through basketball, we’re getting this chance on the national stage,” said Savitt.
Barkley also asked Edwards for restaurant recommendations during the postgame interview, which has spurred conversation on social media about where he should eat when he’s in town.
Explore Minnesota says it’s a perfect opportunity that fell in their lap to promote all there is to offer.
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Target Center on May 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 115-70.
David Berding/Getty Images
Game 7, it is. The Minnesota Timberwolves face the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets today in the final game of the teams’ NBA Playoffs series. The Wolves skillfully forced a Game 7 after Thursday’s 45-point victory over the reigning NBA champs. Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves team has one more game to try to oust Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets from the playoffs.
This is a don’t-miss game. Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 7 today.
How and when to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Game 7
Game 7 of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets series will be played on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT) and air on TNT. You can stream the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets game on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Game 7 without cable
If your cable subscription doesn’t carry TNT, or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today’s game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today’s game live.
One of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s NBA playoff game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange tier, which includes TNT and ESPN. For access to more NBA playoff games, upgrade to the Orange + Blue tier (recommended), which includes the games played on ABC.
The Orange tier is normally $40 per month, but Sling TV has an offer for new subscribers where you can get your first month for $15. The Orange + Blue tier costs $35 for your first month, and $60 per month after that. There’s also an NBA playoffs package deal where you can save $30 when you pre-pay for three months of service on any tier. You can cancel anytime.
Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year’s NFL games on CBS. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
Sling TV is also our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, ESPN and TNT.
You get access to NFL games airing on ESPN next season at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, is known for streaming top-tier HBO content like “Succession” and “House of the Dragon”. Now, NBA fans can enjoy NBA Playoffs games airing on TNT on the streamer with the B/R sports add-on. You’ll need a Max subscription to access B/R sports content like the NBA Playoffs and the NHL Playoffs. Some blackouts do apply.
A subscription to Max starts at $10 per month. The B/R sports add-on is currently free.
You can watch today’s game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
The best place to get NBA Playoffs fan gear: Fanatics
Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams‘ new Chicago Bears jersey. Free shipping on orders over $24 (use code 24SHIP).
2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 15, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Joshua Gateley/Getty Images
The Conference semifinals is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024. All times Eastern.
Revenge games provide a platform for players to show why they should have won MVP honors. Nikola Jokic staged a revenge game to show why he did win MVP honors.
The premise was that the Minnesota Timberwolves were trying to reconnect in this series after getting skunked twice at home. They exuded confidence, convinced Tuesday would be different.
Then it became Jokic vs. Everybody. Everybody Lost. The Nuggets won because he is him. Avs stars Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy delivered multiple titles. Rockies greats Todd Helton and Larry Walker remain forever immortalized in the Hall of Fame. And Alex English could slinky his way to 28 points a night.
“He was special. I have to give him his flowers,” Edwards said. “He was that guy.”
The only thing missing from one of the top five performances in his career was Jokic talking like Liam Neeson in his postgame presser about his “particular set of skills.”
He schooled Karl-Anthony Towns, worked over Naz Reid, and held a Roast of Rudy. Rudy Gobert owns four defensive player of the year trophies, a testament to his size, strength and length. Jokic turned him into a one-legged air dancer greeting customers at a used car lot. He converted 8 of 9 shots with Gobert as his primary defender.
I cannot fathom how any current or former NBA player can watch Jokic and not believe two things: that he is the best in the world and that this series is over.
Jokic scored 16 points in the third quarter Tuesday. He scored 16 in the fourth quarter in Game 4. The Timberwolves felt like they were frequently in the right position, and it did not matter. When Jokic gets this hot, this aggressive, there’s little the opponent can do. Nothing screams MVP like making the competition feel powerless.
“He was in the zone. I mean a couple of shots I think I actually blocked and the ball went in,” Gobert said. “He put his team on his back in the third quarter. It was definitely one of those stretches that we are going to have to watch the film. I think there are things we should have done better, but there’s also plays he made that I think are tough to overcome.”
The Thunderwolves began the playoffs with six straight victories, and now have dropped three consecutive games for the first time this season. Minnesota features two coaches – boss Chris Finch and assistant Micah Nori – who spent time on the Nuggets staff. They possess institutional knowledge. And they have no answer for the Nuggets’ basketball Einstein.
Jokic leads by example, not intimidation.
The Nuggets players do what he does out of respect, mirroring his unselfishness. What made Game 5 different and why the Timberwolves will lose Game 6 is because Jokic has solved their Rubik’s Cube. Minnesota finished the season with the league’s best defensive efficiency rating. Following their dominant first two wins, there were comparisons to the 2004 Detroit Pistons.
Time to throw those in one of the state’s 10,000 lakes. Jokic has rendered them worthless. He dropped 40 points. Jokic in the paint was Beethoven at the piano. He bullied Gobert with his forearms, sinking spinning fallaways and left-handed hooks. He sank a 3-pointer in Kyle Anderson’s face, beat Towns on a back cut for a layup, and dunked multiple times.
“I am not entirely sure what I just watched,” forward Aaron Gordon said. “It was ridiculous.”
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
When the Nuggets dropped the first two home games, the Timberwolves annoyed Jokic. He made 16 of 38 shots (42 percent) with 11 turnovers and a minus-28 rating. In an off day before Game 3, he was named MVP for the third time, only the ninth player to accomplish the feat. With the national media saying the Nuggets were cooked, it threatened to tarnish his accomplishment.
“Nikola is very relaxed. He is passionate, but he doesn’t show it,” backup center DeAndre Jordan said. “When we went down 0-2, I think a switch kind of flipped for him and our entire team.”
The three games since have been the Revenge of the Serb. Jokic has made 40 of 65 shots (61.5 percent) with seven turnovers and a plus-54 rating. Find a better postseason stretch for a Colorado professional athlete. I dare you. Maybe the Broncos’ Terrell Davis in the 1997 and 1998 playoffs when he put his foot in the ground for 5.52 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns. Or Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in the 2009 playoffs (10-for-17 with three extra-base hits).
For the Timberwolves to even this series, they must either stifle Jokic or match him. That is the evil of two lessers. There is no chance this will happen.
Truth is, we will not see his like again. Except on Thursday in Game 6.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves hug with a large lead late in the fourth quarter on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver, CO.
Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune via Getty Images
The Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight for a pivotal Game 4 of the teams’ NBA Playoffs series. The Wolves have proved a formidable adversary for the 2023 NBA champion Nuggets team, making this one of the most exciting series in the conference semifinals.
Keep reading below to find out how and when to watch the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game tonight.
How and when to watch the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4
Game 4 of the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Playoffs series will be played on May 12, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on TNT and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.
How to watch the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 4 without cable
If your cable subscription doesn’t carry TNT or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today’s game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today’s basketball game live.
One of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s NBA playoff game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange tier, which includes TNT and ESPN. For access to more NBA playoff games, upgrade to the Orange + Blue tier (recommended), which includes the games played on ABC.
The Orange tier is normally $40 per month, but Sling TV has an offer for new subscribers where you can get your first month for $15. The Orange + Blue tier costs $35 for your first month, and $60 per month after that. There’s also an NBA playoffs package deal where you can save $30 when you pre-pay for three months of service on any tier. You can cancel anytime.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
Sling TV is also our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, ESPN and TNT.
You get access to NFL games airing on ESPN next season at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, is known for streaming top-tier HBO content like “Succession” and “House of the Dragon”. Now, NBA fans can enjoy NBA Playoffs games airing on TNT on the streamer with the B/R sports add-on. You’ll need a Max subscription to access B/R sports content like the NBA Playoffs and the NHL Playoffs. Some blackouts do apply.
A subscription to Max starts at $9.99 per month. The B/R sports add-on is currently free.
You can watch today’s game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
The best place to get NBA Playoffs fan gear: Fanatics
Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams‘ new Chicago Bears jersey.
2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule
Nikola Jokic #15 pf the Denver Nuggets is fouled driving against Kyle Anderson #1 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
Getty Images
The Conference semifinals is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024. All times Eastern.
(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland
• Game 1:Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95 • Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94 • Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11 (8:30 ET, ABC) • Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Monday, May 13 (7 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) * • Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
The series is tied 1-1
* = If necessary
(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana
• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117 • Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121 • Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 10 (7 ET, ESPN) • Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, Sunday, May 12 (3:30 ET, ABC) • Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) * • Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
New York leads the series 2-0
* = If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas
• Game 1:Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 • Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110 • Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11 (3:30 ET, ABC) • Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13 (9:30 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) * • Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) *
The series is tied 1-1
* = If necessary
(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota
• Game 1:Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99 • Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80 • Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN) • Game 4: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 16 (8:30, ESPN) * • Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
Minnesota leads series 2-0
* = If necessary
First round results
Below are the results from the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Shaun Hagglund is the owner of Fan HQ in the Ridgedale Mall. He says watching more customers wanting more Timberwolves gear has been a joy.
“It’s just been growing throughout the year and then hit the playoffs and it’s just ramped up from there,” he said. “It’s been fantastic watching all the fans come in here and get crazy for the wolves. Anthony Edwards is obviously exploding nationally and Naz Reid, just locally, I mean…when your name becomes a catchphrase, I think you’re doing okay. Right?”
After the Timberwolves sealed game 2 against Denver, tattoo artist JC Stroebel took his excitement to social media.
“I just said, ‘will tattoo Naz Reid on anyone for 20 bucks. I’m dead serious.’ And I was dead serious. But I thought it would be like two people and now we have at least 100 legitimate requests to get tattooed,” Stroebel said. “We, like collectively as a fan base, have earned the right to tattoo Naz Reid on our on ourselves, man.”
Jackson Hurst of Rosemount was the first to receive the tattoo.
WCCO
“Disbelief is kind of the only way to put it as a Minnesota sports fan,” Hurst said, describing the team’s performance so far. “They just look so dominant out there on the floor in the playoffs. And it’s it’s a little hard to believe that that’s our Timberwolves.”
It wasn’t Hurst’s first tattoo. It joins a pair he already has for his parents.
“Mom, Dad, Naz Reid. Three most important people in my life.” Hurst said, with a laugh.
But for many Timberwolves fans, including Hurst, their love of Reid is no joke.
“Two words. Naz Reid. That’s really all you can say,” Hurst said. “He’s a marvelous, marvelous player. Very fun to watch. And it’s just an exciting time to be a Wolves fan. So why not?”
“Naz Reid exemplifies the Timberwolves themselves,” Stroebel said. “He started out as an underdog, a lot of people overlooked him but he just kept grinding and working and now he’s one of the best players in the league. Sixth Man of the Year…and so I think to a lot of Wolves fans, Naz Reid just perfectly personifies what it is to be a Wolves fan.”
After receiving the tat, Hurst said he has no regrets — even if the Timberwolves begin a losing streak.
“I mean, just walking around a couple months ago wearing a Timberwolves hat, you wouldn’t get a second look. Now you wear that same Timberwolves hat and like for people walking down any street will stop you and say I like your hat or go wolves and it’s a real contagious energy,” Hurst said. “Even if they were to lose out, It’s still a great story. Still great tattoo. Still love the Timberwolves and Naz Reid as a player… and if they happen to go all the way. I think I’ll be back here for another tattoo with JC.”
Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Reggie Jackson #7 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 04, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
The 2024 NBA postseason is in full swing as teams compete in the conference semifinals. Figuring out how and when to watch those heated conference semifinals games takes serious detective work: There are a handful of different channels carrying NBA Playoffs games this season
To help you keep track of all the terrific basketball happening this spring we found the best sports streaming platforms that give you access to the most NBA Playoffs games this season. Keep reading below for the best ways to watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs, including tonight’s games.
When are the NBA Playoffs?
The 2024 NBA Playoffs began on April 20 and will be played through the end of the NBA Finals on June 23 at the latest.
How to watch the NBA Playoffs with cable
The 2024 NBA Playoffs will air on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV. Some in-market games will air on your area’s local affiliate.
How to watch the NBA Playoffs games this season without cable
If you don’t have a cable subscription, or your cable company doesn’t offer all the channels airing the NBA Playoffs, you can stream the playoffs on one of the live TV streaming platforms listed below. To watch every game on one streaming platform, you’ll need a subscription to Sling TV.
If you don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBATV one of the most cost-effective ways to stream the NBA Playoffs this year, and still get access to local programming, is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to 46 channels, including TNT and ESPN, plus local ABC affiliates (where available) with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Add the Sling TV Sports Extra package to access games airing on NBA TV for $11 per month.
Sling TV is currently offering $25 off every pricing tier. The Sling Orange + Blue tier is regularly priced at $60 per month, but you’ll pay just $35 for the first month of service. You can learn more by tapping the button below.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NBA and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage, perfect for recording all the biggest games of the season.
With Sling TV Orange, you’ll get access to all the NBA games you want to watch, plus network programs airing on NBC, ABC, Fox and more. It’s the most cost-effective way to watch every NBA playoff game this season.
You can catch the 2024 NBA Playoffs live on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to playoff games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBA TV. Packages include your local ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates, ESPN, NBC, the NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just the 2024 NBA Playoffs, all without a cable subscription.
To watch the NBA Playoffs without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NBA basketball, you’ll have access to NFL football, MLB, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial. To watch every NBA playoff game, add on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes NBA TV, in addition to MLB Network, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month.
Note: Because Fubo doesn’t carry TNT, you won’t be able to watch playoff games airing on TNT. To stream every NBA playoff game on one platform, you’ll need a subscription to Sling TV.
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
There are no contracts with Fubo — you can cancel at any time.
You can watch sporting events such as the NBA Playoffs up to 72 hours after they air with Fubo Lookback.
The Pro tier includes 203 channels, including NFL Network.
Fubo also includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.
You can watch the NBA with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including ESPN, TNT and ABC, so you’ll be able to catch most NBA playoff games, while still being able to watch local network programming. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every local and nationally televised NBA game on every network this season with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch NFL games next season.
Note: Hulu + Live TV doesn’t offer NBA TV. Because a small number of NBA playoff games will air this year on NBA TV, you’ll need a subscription to Sling TV or Fubo to watch those games live.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
If you want to catch the NBA Playoffs, NBA League Pass allows you to watch games airing on ABC, ESPN and TNT on-demand three hours after the game. To catch games airing on NBA TV, level up your League Pass coverage to the Team Pass.
During the regular NBA season, NBA League Pass allows you to watch out-of-market games live and on-demand, plus get round-the-clock NBA TV coverage. With an upgraded NBA League Pass Premium subscription, you get everything included in the NBA League Pass, plus you’ll be able to stream live and on-demand games on up to three different devices at a time — and get access to the in-arena stream for the game of your choice.
NBA League Pass is currently priced at $15 per month. NBA League Pass Premium costs $23 per month. A Team Pass subscription is $13.99 per month. NBA League Pass offers a seven-day free trial.
Note: NBA League Pass has some blackout games, which means certain local games and all nationally broadcast games will be available three hours after the live broadcast. All subscription tiers include access to live radio broadcasts of all NBA games.
What is the NBA app?
The NBA appis a terrific companion for die-hard basketball fans who want to stay up to date on the latest scores. You’ll be able to download the NBA app on your phone or mobile device and get the latest news, stories and highlights of what’s happening in the league now. You can find the NBA app on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
2024 NBA Playoffs: Full schedule
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 27, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
The 2024 NBA Playoffs are scheduled for April 20 – June 23, 2024.
Conference semifinals
The conference semifinals are a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024. All times Eastern.
(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland
• Game 1: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Tuesday, May 7 (7 ET, TNT) • Game 2: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Thursday, May 9 (7 ET, ESPN) • Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11 (8:30 ET, ABC) • Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Monday, May 13 (7 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) * • Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) * Series tied 0-0
* = If necessary
(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana
• Game 1: Pacers vs. Knicks, Monday, May 6 (7:30 ET, TNT) • Game 2: Pacers vs. Knicks, Wednesday, May 8 (8 ET, TNT) • Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 10 (7 ET, ESPN) • Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, Sunday, May 12 (3:30 ET, ABC) • Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) * • Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) * Series tied 0-0
* = If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas
• Game 1: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Tuesday, May 7 (9:30 ET, TNT) • Game 2: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Thursday, May 9 (9:30 ET, ESPN) • Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11 (3:30 ET, ABC) • Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13 (9:30 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) * • Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) * Series tied 0-0
* = If necessary
(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota
• Game 1:Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99 • Game 2: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Monday, May 6 (10 ET, TNT) • Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN) • Game 4: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) * • Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 16 (8:30, ESPN) * • Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
The Conference finals will begin May 21-22 but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round’s series ends early.
NBA Finals schedule
The 2024 NBA Finals will begin on June 6, airing on ABC.
Sunday, June 9: Game 2
Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
Friday, June 14: Game 4
Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)
What is the NBA app?
The NBA appis a terrific companion for die-hard basketball fans who want to stay up to date on the latest scores. You’ll be able to download the NBA app on your phone or mobile device and get the latest news, stories and highlights of what’s happening in the league now. You can find the NBA app on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Can I watch the NBA on ESPN+?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs with the ESPN+ app. ESPN+ does not include access to the ESPN network. It is a separate sports-centric service, with separate sports programming.
PHOENIX — Fresh off, arguably, the most important performance of his young career, Anthony Edwards sat in front of the world with a white tank top and an all-black Atlanta Braves fitted cap that sat loose, hovering just above his crisp hairline — making him look more like an extra in Outkast’s “Player’s Ball” video than the future face of the NBA.
Edwards is who he is. Silly. Lovable. Intelligent. Country. He wears it all, loudly and proudly. He’s also a competitor. A trash-talker. He wears all of those things just as loud, just as proud.
You add all of that up and you have a star. You add all of those things up plus a 40-point performance in a playoff-sweeping 122-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, and you start to enter superstardom.
Yet, Edwards, for one reason or another, is afraid to go there. For as honest, brash and confident as he is and can be, there lives a bashfulness inside the 22-year-old when it comes to talking about his stature within the sport’s most prestigious club.
A year ago, before a first-round loss to the eventual-champion Denver Nuggets, Edwards said he couldn’t consider himself a young star until he “wins in the playoffs.”
A year later, he did it. Edwards not only won in the playoffs, but he was the alpha in a series that featured the likes of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, his all-time favorite player. Edwards led his organization to heights it hadn’t seen in 20 years, the second round of the NBA playoffs. He did it with rim-twisting dunks. He did it with a sweet shooting stroke. He did it with gnaw-your-arm-off defense. He did it with leadership. He did it with WWE “Suck It!” extracurriculars. He did it while giving an earful to the player he has looked up to since he was 5.
These are the things that make stars. This is what stardom looks like.
“Nah, not yet, man,” Edwards said Sunday after reaching the benchmark he placed on himself a year ago. “Not yet.”
Edwards, unbeknownst to him, lost the privilege to decide what he is and isn’t in this league.
Kevin Durant congratulates Anthony Edwards after Minnesota swept Phoenix in the first round of the NBA playoffs. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
When you score 40 points in a series-clinching victory — on the road at that — you’re a star. When you played 79 regular-season games and were the best player for a team that was one game short of having the top record in your conference, you’re a star. When you’re one of 12 players, at the age of 22, picked to represent your country in the Olympics, you’re a star. When you make everyone laugh every time you’re in front of a microphone, order McDonald’s off Uber Eats immediately after a game, like he did in Detroit last season, you’re a star.
“He’s the face of the league,” said teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat next to Edwards as his reserved side took center stage when talking about his status in the NBA. “He hates when I say it, but it’s true. Like I said, ‘Future so bright, got to put the sunglasses on.’ ”
Regular players don’t decide to dominate when they have a chance to end their opponent for good. They don’t have that ability. Stars shoot 11 of 15 from the floor for 31 points in the second half when their team is trailing at halftime like Edwards did on Sunday. Stars muster up their last bit of energy late in the fourth quarter to throw down a “Night, night!” dunk — like he did with just over two minutes to play when he crossed up Bradley Beal on the wing, took a gather dribble, launched from outside of the paint and forced his childhood hero out of the way as he punished the rim like it hit his sister.
Stars get on their other star teammate amid all the chaos when they do something wrong like Edwards did when Towns committed another unnecessary foul with the game in the balance.
Edwards can’t run from it anymore. No matter how hard he tries. If he doesn’t want to be a star, then stop playing like one.
“He rises to the occasion,” Wolves forward Kyle Anderson told The Athletic.
Stars also make their teammates better. That’s the point of having a star. The gravity of one person makes the existence of others more meaningful.
Edwards picked apart the Suns’ defense as a playmaker. The 40 points will make the headlines, but he also had six assists with only two turnovers in 41 minutes of play. He should have had 10-plus assists, but the Wolves couldn’t buy a bucket in the game’s first 24 minutes.
There were signs throughout the season, but it was this series where Edwards blossomed as a creator for others. There were times early on in his career when it felt like he passed because he had to. There was nowhere else for him to go.
As the season went on, and this playoff series played out, Edwards was welcoming blitzes so that he could create advantages to make the pass to an open man, so that he could get his teammates involved in the flow of the game, so that this Timberwolves team could potentially do something only one team before has accomplished in the franchise’s 35-year history.
But, yeah, Edwards is not a star.
“He is a good person,” said Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori, who filled in for coach Chris Finch after a collision on the sideline in the fourth quarter left him with a serious leg injury. “And what I mean by that is, they trust him. He’s got some self-humor. You’ve seen all of his interviews. He’s the first one to congratulate and move all of his glory over to his teammates. They all love him.
“When he plays, makes the right play, and they know he cares, not only about himself but the team, he’s done a good job of stepping up in that regard.”
Edwards can keep running from the label all he wants, but if he doesn’t want to embrace it out of fear of being content, then it will never go away. His mindset is correct. His intentions are good. But it’s impossible for anyone with two eyes and a pinch of sense not to see a star when they look at Edwards.
From this point on, there’s no point in even asking Edwards about it. He has spoken — with his play and his personality. He never needs to say it out loud. We’ll all keep saying it for him.
“He’s my favorite player to watch,” Durant said of his star pupil after Sunday’s game. “He’s just grown so much since coming in the league. At 22, his love for the game shines so bright. That’s one of the reasons why I like him the most because he just loves basketball and is grateful to be in this position.
“He’s going to be someone I follow for the rest of his career.”
