The Minnesota Timberwolves are finally getting their national television respect. After only having ten nationally-televised games last season, the league has announced that they would have three nationally televised games: An opening night game against the Los Angeles Lakers in LA, an In-Season Tournament game at home against the Los Angeles Clippers in late November, and Christmas game on the road against the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day. A well-deserved honor after the Wolves returned to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.
It has been a bumpy path to respect, though. The Wolves created plenty of intrigue in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, making the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. They also have marketable young talent, with Anthony Edwards leading the new era of Wolves basketball. The Timberwolves only had 12 ESPN or TNT games over the past two seasons, but their national TV fate is set to change.
Unfortunately, that takes more games away from Minnesota’s beloved Michael Grady and Jim Petersen broadcast duo. Still, the Wolves getting more attention on a larger scale is a notable change.
The national media considers the Wolves contenders entering next season to have continued to show linear development as a unit, implying that they are here to stay. The Timberwolves made the Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years and have consistently succeeded, posting a 58.3% winning percentage over the past three seasons.
When the Wolves have been on national TV games over the past few seasons, it was because of who they were playing. They played on ESPN or TNT when they faced larger-market or popular teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, or Golden State Warriors, although they are now one of the main attractions.
With this spotlight comes more attention. National coverage of the Wolves was spotty last year, even though they spent most of the season as the No. 1 seed in the West and had the league’s best defense. There will be a significant heel turn if the Wolves continue to play like they did last year, something they are more than capable of doing.
If they repeat their success from last season, we will hear the typical tropes that come with increased media attention. People will ask questions such as, How will it affect the team knowing they have expectations? or How will they deal with the larger spotlight? However, all press is good press. More media attention means more individual awards for players and team accolades.
Increased access through social media and League Pass has created a wider net of viewership for players and teams across the league, which has led to a substantial change in leaguewide parity. Still, the traditional national TV spotlight model will always remain superior in driving leaguewide notoriety, particularly when voting for awards, All-NBA teams, and All-Defensive teams. Votes often have a lot of weight based on the team’s and players’ success and reputation.
The Wolves built leaguewide equity last season. Rudy Gobert earned his fourth Defensive Player Of the Year award, Anthony Edwards earned second-team All-NBA honors, and Naz Reid was the Sixth Man Of the Year. Reputations can only be reinforced.
It has taken a long time to build a winning culture in Minnesota. However, the Wolves have a golden opportunity to solidify their newly-earned reputation. Schedule leaks are slowly trickling in, and the Timberwolves should have 20+ nationally televised games next year.
Last year, the leaders in nationally televised games were the Warriors (41 games), Lakers (40 games), Phoenix Suns (37 games), Boston Celtics (34 games), Nuggets (30 games), Milwaukee Bucks (30 games), Philadelphia Sixers (29 games), Mavs (28 games), New York Knicks (25 games) and Miami Heat (24 games). All teams that are either in a larger market, have had recent winning/championship success, or have a top player in the league on their roster.
However, this year, the Wolves will finally have a chance to prove themselves again on the national stage.
