Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Tip-off 9:30 PM ET (2:30 AM UTC) at Target Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Game information
- Date
- Wednesday, December 16, 2026
- Tip-off
- 9:30 PM ET · 2:30 AM UTC
- Status
- Scheduled
- Arena
- Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- TV broadcast
- ESPN
- Radio
- SiriusXM
- Competition
- Week 9
- Official game ID
- 0022600380 (20261216/LALMIN)
- Records
- LAL 8-2 · MIN 7-3
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves preview
The Los Angeles Lakers (8-2) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-3) at Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET. It's a Week 9 game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season.
Both clubs play in the Western Conference, making this an early-season measuring stick in the race for playoff seeding. Minnesota Timberwolves have 0 titles and Los Angeles Lakers have 17.
The game is carried on ESPN, with radio coverage on SiriusXM. Fans outside the local markets can stream it through NBA League Pass, subject to blackout rules — see our guide to watching the NBA legally.
Keys to the game
- Home court: Minnesota Timberwolves host at Target Center, where crowd energy and familiarity with the rims and floor can swing close games.
- LAL on the road: Los Angeles Lakers's first test away from home in Week 9.
- Broadcast: ESPN — a nationally televised window.
- Early-season stakes: records reset to 8-2 and 7-3, so every result matters for seeding.
Players to watch
Minnesota Timberwolves
Team comparison
| LAL | MIN | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 8-2 | 7-3 |
| Conference | Western | Western |
| Division | Pacific | Northwest |
| Arena | Crypto.com Arena | Target Center |
| Championships | 17 | 0 |
| Founded | 1947 | 1989 |
How to watch
National TV
- ESPN
National streaming
See NBA League Pass
MIN local TV
- DAZN-MIN
LAL local TV
- Spectrum SportsNet
National broadcasters
Official networks carrying NBA games this season — click through to watch on the broadcaster's own site or app.
ABC / ESPN
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Other games on Wed, Dec 16
Also coming up
Los Angeles Lakers — next games
