Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets
Date: October 4th, 2025
Time: 8:00PM CDT
Location: Pechanga Arena
Television Coverage: Nope.
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves, the Nuggets, and Ron Burgundy’s Revenge
The last time San Diego had NBA basketball? 1984. Think about that for a second. Reagan was president, MTV still played music videos, and LA’s second team was still the San Diego Clippers before Donald Sterling did what Donald Sterling always does and screwed up another city. That was the last time hoops lived in “America’s
Finest City.”
Fast-forward four decades. San Diego fans are licking their wounds from the Padres’ latest heartbreak, and what do they get as consolation? A preseason game. Nuggets vs. Wolves. At Pechanga Arena. A building better known for hosting minor-league hockey, professional lacrosse, and that one Shania Twain concert your aunt keeps talking about.
Oh, and just to make things extra surreal? This is Pechanga’s swan song before Stan Kroenke, Denver’s billionaire Bond villain owner, literally blows it up to build a $4 billion, 48-acre development project. Because apparently it’s not enough for Kroenke to own the Nuggets, the Avalanche, the Rams, Arsenal, and probably a couple of solar systems. He also needs a chunk of prime San Diego real estate.
The Rivalry That Won’t Die
So what are we actually watching here? (Well, “listening,” since the game somehow isn’t on TV.) We’re watching Minnesota’s chance to make it eight straight against Denver. Six real games. One Summer League game. And yes, we’re counting Summer League. (Don’t argue — it only helps our case.)
Go back to the 2024 playoffs: down 3–2, everyone figured it was just another Minnesota post-season choke-job and Denver had it in the bag. Instead, the Wolves clawed back, stole Game 6 at Target Center, then pulled off the heist of the decade, a 20-point comeback in Game 7 at Ball Arena. Since then, Denver can’t beat Minnesota anywhere. Not at home. Not on the road. Not in Vegas. No where.
So what’s the Nuggies new idea? Neutral site. San Diego. If this were pro wrestling, this is the part where the Nuggets are hiding steel chairs under the ring apron and hiring crooked doppelganger referees.
What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)
Look, it’s preseason. Anthony Edwards is probably playing 12 minutes before he starts joking with Finch on the sideline. Jokic will be somewhere between “barely breaking a sweat” and “already thinking about horse racing.” Nobody’s diving for loose balls. Nobody’s risking injury.
For Wolves fans, though, there are a couple storylines worth squinting at:
- Joan Beringer’s baptism: The French rookie looked great in Vegas. Now? He gets his “Welcome to the NBA” moment against Jokic, which is like learning how to swim by being tossed into the deep end of the Pacific Ocean. Good luck, kid.
- The young pups: Expect Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, and Rob Dillingham to get actual run. Preseason is basically Finch’s version of open mic night.
- The streak: It doesn’t matter, but it matters. Because seven straight over Denver is funny. Eight straight is hilarious.
Final Thought
At the end of the day, this game will vanish from memory for 99% of the league. It won’t even register on the highlight shows, seeing as there won’t even be any TV cameras to capture the highlights. But for Wolves fans, it’s another chance to rent free space in Denver’s head. And trust me, the thing Stan Kroenke hates most is free rent.
So here’s the goal: turn San Diego into the latest branch office of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Denver Domination. Whether it’s the Twin Cities, Mile High City, Sin City, or Ron Burgundy’s San Diego, the Wolves just keep stacking wins.
Stay classy, Denver.
