Timberwolves-Bucks game moves to ESPN with later start

The Feb. 23 matchup at Target Center will now start at 9 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.
Timberwolves-Bucks game moves to ESPN with later start
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.

Anthony Edwards shoots a layup defended tightly by Brook Lopez
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

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Nolan O'Hara
NOLAN O'HARA

Nolan O'Hara covers all things Minnesota sports, primarily the Timberwolves, for Bring Me The News and Sports Illustrated's On SI network. He previously worked as a copy editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism. His work has appeared in the Pioneer Press, Ratchet & Wrench magazine, the Minnesota Daily and a number of local newspapers in Minnesota, among other publications.