Minnesota Timberwolves vs Philadelphia 76ers

The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This matchup marks the final preseason game for both teams before the start of the regular season, giving coaches a last chance to finalize rotations and evaluate player readiness. The atmosphere is expected to be lively, with fans eager to see how both squads look heading into what promises to be a competitive 2025–26 NBA campaign.

For Philadelphia, the biggest storyline ahead of the game is the return of Joel Embiid, who has been cleared to play following his recovery from left knee surgery earlier in the year. However, the Sixers will be without Paul George, who is still sidelined after his own knee procedure, along with a few bench players like Jared McCain and Trendon Watford, who remain unavailable. On the Minnesota side, the Timberwolves come into the game nearly at full strength, with no major injuries reported. Chris Finch may still rest some key starters, though, to preserve them for the start of the regular season.

Nick Nurse’s approach for this game focuses on reintroducing Embiid into game rhythm while avoiding overuse in a preseason setting. The Sixers are expected to mix veteran presence with young prospects to test their lineup flexibility. Nurse’s tactics will likely emphasize controlled offensive sets to get Embiid comfortable, along with testing secondary scorers in George’s absence. Meanwhile, Chris Finch and the Timberwolves plan to emphasize ball movement and defensive spacing, using the matchup as a final test for players fighting for rotation spots. Minnesota’s focus will be on maintaining the defensive cohesion that made them one of the league’s top teams last season.

Pre-game coverage in the media has centered on two main talking points — Embiid’s return and Minnesota’s depth. Reporters have described the game as an important checkpoint for Philadelphia’s medical and tactical progress, while noting that Minnesota has one of the most balanced rosters in the West. Some analysts have speculated that if the Timberwolves’ bench can sustain pressure against the 76ers’ reserves, it could highlight how ready they are to contend in the Western Conference from day one. For Philadelphia, journalists have stressed that the main goal is rhythm, not results, especially given how the team is still retooling around Embiid and new additions.

In the pregame studio shows, analysts have been cautiously optimistic about the 76ers’ prospects with a healthy Embiid but have also pointed out that the Timberwolves’ stability and chemistry may give them an early edge. Pundits have praised both teams for their defensive potential but noted that the real test lies in offensive execution and player conditioning. There’s general consensus that while this is just preseason, this matchup could hint at the early identity of both clubs — the Sixers’ renewed push with Embiid leading the charge, and the Timberwolves’ ambition to establish themselves as a consistent Western power.