Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls
Date: October 16th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CDT
Location: United Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves Beat the Guangzhou Loong-Lions (Because, Of Course They Did)
Let’s start with the obvious: the Minnesota Timberwolves just beat the Guangzhou Loong-Lions by 60 points in a game that meant less than your third fantasy football trade offer of the week.
Calling this a “preseason contest” would be generous. It was more like a glorified scrimmage; the NBA equivalent
of punching a heavy bag that doesn’t punch back. The Loong-Lions are a proud Chinese Basketball Association team, but on Wednesday night, they looked like the Washington Generals in slow motion.
Chris Finch could’ve rolled out the Wolves’ G League affiliate, a few random Target Center ushers, and probably still won by 30. None of the regular starters even played. No Ant. No Julius Randle. No McDaniels. No Conley or Gobert.
Still, the Wolves’ young guys did what they were supposed to do: handle business.
The Rob Dillingham Game (Sort Of)
The night belonged to rookie guard Rob Dillingham, who dropped 27 points and 9 assists on 10-of-14 shooting. For a night that meant nothing, he sure made it look like it meant something. He was fast, confident, and in total control. He demonstrated the kind of swagger you want from a guy who has been billed as the heir apparent to Mike Conley.
Of course, context matters. It’s one thing to cook a CBA team that looked allergic to pick-and-roll defense. It’s another to do that next week against an NBA defense with pulse and purpose.
Still, after an up-and-down preseason, it was nice to see Dillingham’s spark return, especially after Bones Hyland posted the rare “did he even play?” box score line. The backup point guard debate in Minnesota continues. Dillingham’s upside versus Bones’ explosiveness could quietly define the Wolves’ second unit this season.
The Chicago Tune-Up
Now comes the real test, or at least the closest thing to it before the real test. The Wolves head to Chicago to face the Bulls in what could be their final tune-up before the regular season. Expect Finch to roll out the starters for a half, get them in rhythm, and then stash them in bubble wrap before the flight to Philadelphia.
The Bulls, meanwhile, exist. That’s their brand now. They’re a team that’s always somewhere between “frisky” and “irrelevant,” like that one friend who insists their crypto is about to bounce back any day now. Still, Chicago plays physical basketball, and after a couple of sloppy overtime losses earlier this preseason, it’s exactly the kind of test the Wolves need.
The Real Story: Focus and Chemistry
Let’s not pretend this preseason has been flawless. The Wolves’ starters have looked sluggish at times. That’s fine when it’s October. It’s deadly when it’s May and you’re trying to close out OKC or Denver.
Finch has talked all preseason about rhythm, energy, and execution — all those boring-but-important words coaches throw around when they know their team is more talented than focused. The Wolves have the roster to win the West, but do they have the discipline? That’s the question that’s going to hang over this season until they prove otherwise.
Final Preseason Thoughts
Thursday night: Chicago. Then Philly. Then it counts.
The preseason’s nearly over. The hype and over-analysis is nearly over. The Wolves are healthy, motivated, and allegedly focused. Now they just have to prove that what we saw in April and May wasn’t a fluke.
Because the fun part starts Wednesday, and this franchise feels ready for it.
