Following Friday's game, assuming there are no postponements before then, the Memphis Grizzlies will have played four games against the Timberwolves since mid-December — two preseason and two regular-season.
The Wolves' next two games are against the Grizzlies, just as the Wolves played consecutive games Saturday and Sunday against the Spurs and consecutive games against Denver last week.
This is all part of the NBA's scheduling in the time of coronavirus, as the league has tried to mitigate postponements and get as many games in as it can.
That is proving arduous less than a month into the regular season, with several teams having depleted rosters or games postponed after multiple players have tested positive.
The Wolves have evaded any players testing positive during the season, and they've avoided having players sit out because of potential exposure to the virus. So have their opponents at the time they have played them.
These games against the same opponents have led to some familiarity in preparation early in the season for coach Ryan Saunders, who said each is like a mini playoff series and can help show young players who haven't tasted the playoffs yet what that experience is like.
Normally Saunders and the Wolves will watch multiple games in preparation for an opponent. When they face someone for the second time in two or three days, that preparation is a little more streamlined.
"Your clips and what you go through with the group is going to be more focused on what was done last game," Saunders said. "You can use those as teachable, correctable moments in the big scope of things but also in terms of game-planning how you're going to be even better that night.