Timberwolves host Thunder Wednesday in season opener

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Wednesday is a big day for basketball fans – it’s the season opener for the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Team officials tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they’re at capacity and expecting a full arena.

Ethan Casson, CEO of the Timberwolves and Lynx, says this may be the most anticipated season ever.

The franchise sold the second most season tickets in the NBA this year, and fans are eager to see their favorite players return, and the new faces they haven’t seen play in a Wolves jersey ever before.

“It’s the biggest trade we’ve ever made in franchise history for a player of that caliber. He’s one of the best defensive players in the NBA maybe ever, and certainly over the last ten years, and what makes Rudy so unique besides his talent and besides his size – he’s one of the most humble, team-oriented players you could add to a roster,” said Rudy Gobert, a Timberwolves fan.

Casson says the team is building off the momentum from last season – when the team made the post-season and played in the playoffs for only the second time in 18 years. He adds the team has the talent, and they depend on their fans to show up to bring that enthusiasm.

“They feed off that energy. You say that again last year – when they see a crowd wearing Timberwolves merchandise, wearing their uniforms, engaging, standing before the first basket, arriving early to watch shoot arounds, picking us up when maybe we need a little bit of help throughout the course of a game – the players feed off that,” said Casson.

Head coach Chris Finch and forward Taurean Prince answered questions ahead of the season opener. CLICK HERE to hear what they had to say. In addition, team owner Glen Taylor spoke with 5 EYEWITNESS SPORTS. CLICK HERE to listen to that interview with Darren “Doogie” Wolfson.

As previously reported, new food options were unveiled this week, with multiple local restaurants, including Soul Bowl, Parlour, and Butcher and the Boar, to be featured this season.

There is also a new stand that offers all plant-based food, and Fhima’s is offering a Waygu beef burger.

Executive Chef David Fhima says it’s not that the hot dogs, popcorn and chicken tenders are gone, there are just some upgraded options available.

“It used to be that you went for the game, now you go for the food and the game,” said David Fhima, the executive chef for the Timberwolves and Lynx.

Fhima says one of the things he is most proud of is the fact that so many local businesses are available.

View of some of the new items in the video player below.

CLICK HERE for all of the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS coverage of the Timberwolves.

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