Timberwolves' NBA Cup schedule set, including showdown with Thunder

Mar 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) steals the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Timberwolves' NBA Cup schedule set, including showdown with Thunder

Originally posted on Bring Me The Sports
By Jonathan Harrison | Last updated Aug 12, 2026 12:20 PM ET

Add us as a preferred source on Google

More of the Timberwolves' schedule for the upcoming season has been unveiled ahead of Thursday's full schedule release.

The league announced the Group Play schedule for this season's NBA Cup on Wednesday. Minnesota will open their quest for the NBA Cup at home against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, Oct. 30, with tip set for 7 p.m. CT. One week later, the Wolves will be in New Orleans to take on the Pelicans on Friday, Nov. 6, with tip-off at 7 p.m. CT.

Later in November, the Wolves will wrap up their Group Play games with a trip to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Wednesday, Nov. 25, with tip set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Two days later, the Wolves will be back at Target Center for the final Group Play game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Nov. 27, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. CT.

our @NBA Cup games are set. pic.twitter.com/fuLTpGPUmn
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 12, 2026

The groups were announced earlier this summer, but now we know when the games will take place.

Following the conclusion of Group Play, eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds. Those eight teams will be the six group winners as well as the team from each conference with the best record in Group Play that finished second in their group (with point differential as the tiebreaker).

The quarterfinals will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 6, in NBA markets. Likewise, the semifinals will be played in NBA markets and are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8, and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9. The final will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, Dec. 11.

All group stage games will count towards the regular season record of the participants, as will the quarterfinal and semifinal games. Only the final is considered to be separate from the standard 82 games.

The Timberwolves have failed to reach the knockout rounds in each of the first three editions of the in-season tournament. Overall, Minnesota has a 7-5 record in the tournament. If the Wolves want to get out of the group for the first time this year, they may need to beat the Thunder in OKC.