CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers blew a 29-point lead in a season-opening loss at the Philadelphia 76ers and then nearly let a 22-point advantage slip away during a win over the Brooklyn Nets in Cleveland's home opener.
Now the Cavs are 1-1 with the 3-0 Minnesota Timberwolves presenting the next test.
Tipoff for Cavs versus Timberwolves is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Rocket Arena. Check back here for updates throughout the game:
Below is some pregame information.
Cavs starting lineup vs. Timberwolves
The Cavs are projected to start the following players:
- Point guard James Harden
- Guard Donovan Mitchell
- Small forward Peyton Watson
- Forward Evan Mobley
- Center Jarrett Allen
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Timberwolves starting lineup vs. Cavaliers
The Timberwolves are projected to start the following players:
- Point guard LaMelo Ball
- Guard Anthony Edwards (see injury report below)
- Small forward Jonathan Kuminga
- Forward Jaden McDaniels
- Center Rudy Gobert
Cavs injury report
The Cavs ruled out the following players:
- Forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin (left low back stress reaction)
- Center Khalifa Diop (left knee injury management)
- Center Ernest Udeh, Jr. (NBA G League — two-way contract).
Timberwolves injury report. Anthony Edwards questionable to face Cavs
The Timberwolves listed guard Anthony Edwards (right knee injury management) as questionable to face the Cavs and ruled out guard Donte DiVincenzo (right Achilles tendon repair/surgery).
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves history
The Cavs have an all-time record of 43-28 against the Timberwolves in the regular season. They have never played each other in the postseason.
The Cavs and Timberwolves split their series last season, with each team winning once.
The Cavs went 52-30 in the 2025-26 regular season and, in the playoffs, advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were swept 4-0 by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks. The Timberwolves went 49-33 last season and later lost 4-2 to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.
Does former Akron Zips star Enrique Freeman still play for Timberwolves?
The Timberwolves waived forward and former University of Akron star Enrique Freeman on Oct. 17.
Here is information about Freeman from Minnesota's news release:
Freeman, 6-7, has appeared in 26 NBA games (one start) in two seasons with the Indiana Pacers and Timberwolves, owning career averages of 2.3 points on 44.4% shooting and 1.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per contest. Freeman was selected by the Pacers with the 50th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last season, Freeman appeared in 39 games (all starts) with the Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Timberwolves, where he averaged 16.5 points on 54.6% shooting, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.2 minutes per game. Freeman saw action in three games during the preseason for the Timberwolves, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds.
Will the Cavaliers and Timberwolves play again this season?
The Cavs and Timberwolves are slated to play one more time during the 2026-27 regular season. Cleveland will visit Minnesota on Jan. 11.
Where to watch Cavaliers vs Timberwolves tonight on TV
Cavs versus Timberwolves will be televised by DAZN, which will stream all regular-season games not selected exclusively for national broadcasts. It will also be simulcast on WUAB (Channel 43).
On Oct. 26, DIRECTV and DAZN announced a multiyear distribution agreement for local telecasts of Cavs, Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs games for DIRECTV streaming, satellite and U-verse customers in each team’s respective NBA-designated home territories.
Those DAZN telecasts will be available to DIRECTV customers who subscribe to the choice or higher packages and to U-verse TV customers who subscribe to the U200 or higher package, according to a news release.
How can I listed to Cavs vs Timberwolves tonight on radio?
The local radio broadcast of the Cavs-Timberwolves game can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM) or La Mega Cleveland (Spanish broadcast, 1300-AM).
Cavs schedule changed
The Cavs game on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Atlanta Hawks has been changed to an 8 p.m. start. Tipoff had been set for 7 p.m., but Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will be played earlier the same day (12:30 p.m. start) at State Farm Arena.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers score vs Timberwolves, live updates, injury news, highlights