Minnesota Timberwolves

New-look Timberwolves open 2017-18 campaign in San Antonio

Published Aug. 14, 2017 7:32 p.m. ET

It won't take long for head coach Tom Thibodeau to see how his new-look Minnesota Timberwolves stack up against the NBA's best, as the Wolves will begin their 2017-18 campaign with a visit to San Antonio to face Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs on Oct. 18.

The renovated Target Center will reopen on Oct. 20 when Ricky Rubio and the Utah Jazz come to town for the Timberwolves' home opener.

That's right, Rubio is making his return to Minneapolis.

Minnesota hosts reigning champion Golden State on March 11 -- the only time this season -- although the Timberwolves will play the Warriors twice on the road.

LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers come to the Target Center on Jan. 8, and the Timberwolves' Jimmy Butler will face the Chicago Bulls, his former team, on Feb. 9 (in Chicago) and Feb. 24 (in Minneapolis).

The new schedule features two five-game home stands from Dec. 10-18 and Jan. 6-14. Minnesota will play on back-to-back nights 15 times this season, compared to 14 back-to-back matchups in 2016-17.

The Timberwolves play every Eastern Conference team twice with one home and away game per team. Minnesota matches up four times (two home games, two away games) against every Western Conference squad, besides the Warriors (one home, two away), Grizzlies (two home, one away), Kings (two home, one away) and Spurs (one home, two away).

For a full look at the Timberwolves schedule, click here.