Opening month of play will be a sizzler for Wolves

Last update: August 6, 2008 - 11:50 PM

Print this story

More from Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett's return to Target Center highlights a lively opening month for the Timberwolves, whose 2008-09 schedule was released on Wednesday.

His health willing, Garnett and his world-champion Boston Celtics will visit Target Center on Nov. 21 in a season that both opens and ends with home games against Sacramento. He did not play because of an injury when the Celtics came to town last season.

The Wolves will open at home for the eighth consecutive season in an Oct. 29 game against the Kings. Before November is out, Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Dallas, Tim Duncan and San Antonio, awaited rookie Greg Oden and Portland, Elton Brand and Philadelphia, Steve Nash and Phoenix, and Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Denver all will come to Minnesota.

Other key dates:

• Cleveland's LeBron James will make his annual visit on Dec. 17.

• Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will arrive on Jan. 30 and Feb. 22.

• The Wolves will visit Boston for a Sunday afternoon game on Feb. 1. The Wolves currently are not scheduled for any TNT, ESPN or ABC telecasts, although they could be added later. ABC has scheduled Cleveland at Detroit for that Feb. 1 time slot.

• Memphis and O.J. Mayo, whose rights the Wolves swapped for Kevin Love on draft night, will play at Target Center on Dec. 29 and March 11.

• The Wolves' longest road trip is three games (five times) and they have two four-game homestands (Feb. 25-March 3, March 9-14).

• The team's preseason schedule will be announced next week. Their regular season TV schedule is yet to come as well.

JERRY ZGODA