Timberwolves look to break strange road win streak against Kings
The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to return to the hardwood after a brief, albeit unusual, three-day hiatus. They will face off against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at the Target Center, where fans can expect to see the team’s signature, eye-catching green court for their second NBA Cup group stage game. As the Wolves aim to maintain their position at the top of their group in the in-season tournament, they will also seek to end a curious trend that has painted a peculiar picture in their series with this Western Conference rival.
A curious road win streak
The Timberwolves and Kings recently battled it out just last Sunday, with Minnesota emerging victorious in a decisive 144-117 win in Sacramento. This game added another chapter to an extraordinary 11-game winning streak for the visiting team in their matchups. Currently, the Timberwolves have secured six consecutive victories in Sacramento, while the Kings have countered with five straight wins in Minneapolis. The last time a home team triumphed in this series was on January 28, 2023, when the Timberwolves secured a win at Target Center.
To grasp the oddity of this streak, consider the outcomes of the last 11 games:
1/30/23 at MIN: Kings 118, Timberwolves 111 (OT)
3/4/23 at SAC: Timberwolves 138, Kings 134
3/27/23 at SAC: Timberwolves 119, Kings 115
11/24/23 at MIN: Kings 124, Timberwolves 111
12/23/23 at SAC: Timberwolves 110, Kings 98
3/1/24 at MIN: Kings 124, Timberwolves 120 (OT)
10/24/24 at SAC: Timberwolves 117, Kings 115
11/15/24 at SAC: Timberwolves 130, Kings 126 (OT, despite 60 from De’Aaron Fox)
11/27/24 at MIN: Kings 115, Timberwolves 104
2/3/25 at MIN: Kings 116, Timberwolves 114
11/9/25 at SAC: Timberwolves 144, Kings 117
With 11 straight road wins in any NBA series being a rarity—if not possibly unprecedented—the Timberwolves find themselves in a prime position to alter this narrative.
Timberwolves poised for victory
Boasting a 7-4 record, the Timberwolves have recently capitalized on matchups against weaker opponents, winning five of their last six games. Their offensive game is thriving, led by their formidable trio of stars. The presence of Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels on the court should only bolster their defensive performance as the season progresses.
On the flip side, the Kings are struggling with a 3-9 record, currently sitting 26th in the NBA in net rating. They have faced a series of challenges, losing four consecutive games by an average margin exceeding 26 points. Once a competitive team, the Kings are now grappling with an unclear direction, particularly in the absence of De’Aaron Fox, who has historically posed problems for the Timberwolves.
The Kings’ roster, featuring Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan, lacks cohesion, especially with the likes of Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder added into the mix. Sabonis and perennial Timberwolves nemesis Malik Monk are both listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup, while Keegan Murray, a crucial component of Sacramento’s lineup, remains sidelined.
Wolves favored to win
Given the circumstances, the Timberwolves are favored by 12.5 points heading into the game, indicating that the odds are stacked against the road team extending their winning streak in this series to 12. However, Minnesota must remain focused and avoid any distractions, especially with a marquee matchup against the Denver Nuggets looming the following night as part of a back-to-back schedule.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT, and fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network North. With all eyes on the court, the Timberwolves are eager to rewrite the narrative and end the bizarre streak against the Kings.
