MIAMI – Giannis Antetokounmpo begins his South Beach era as the Miami Heat host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA season opener at the Kaseya Center today. This matchup is available on multiple streaming services for free.

How to watch Heat vs. Timberwolves today

What: NBA: Miami Heat vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesWhen: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Where: Kaseya Center | Miami, Fla. Channel: ESPNStreaming options: DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month), FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month), SlingTV and PeacockHow do I watch Heat vs. Timberwolves for free?

This NBA season opener matchup will broadcast live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. You can take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV and FuboTV, which offer large discounts on your first month.

You can watch this game on Sling TV for $19.99 per month with Sling Essentials, which offers ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel and more.

Fans can also stream this game and dozens of other live sports with ESPN Streaming for $13.99 per month.

The Heat, coming off a mediocre 43-39 campaign, are hoping to shake up the Eastern Conference with the offseason acquisition of Antetokounmpo. Miami has not advanced past the first round of the NBA playoffs since 2023.

Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion, played in just 36 games last season due to calf and knee injuries. The forward averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field in his final season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Veteran center Bam Adebayo will anchor the paint after a historic campaign. He scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards on March 10, 2026, the second-most points scored in a single game in NBA history.

Adebayo averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 44.2% from the field in the 2025-26 season.

Rising guard Davion Mitchell is expected to be an X-factor for Miami’s title aspirations. He averaged 9.3 points, 6.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field, including 39.5% from beyond the arc.

Miami’s bench features veteran power forward Bobby Portis Jr., veteran shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and third-year shooting guard Pelle Larsson.

Watch Heat vs. Timberwolves for free with DIRECTV

The Timberwolves, who finished 49-33 last season, added LaMelo Ball to pair with superstar guard Anthony Edwards, hoping to rewire a championship contender in the Western Conference. Minnesota lost in the conference semifinals, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.

Edwards remains the centerpiece in the Twin Cities. He averaged 28.8 points — third-best in the league — along with 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field last season.”

Ball, who was traded from the Charlotte Hornets in a multi-team deal, averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 40.7% from the field, including 36.8% from beyond the arc last season.

The Timberwolves will unveil a wildcard bench, featuring stellar sixth man Ayo Dosunmu, guard Bones Hyland and wing Terrence Shannon Jr.

Minnesota sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo will miss most of the season with an Achilles injury. He averages 38% from 3-point range in his career.

Watch Heat vs. Timberwolves for free with FuboTV

Who is announcing Heat vs. Timberwolves?

Mike Breen (play-by-play), Tim Legler (analyst) and Richard Jefferson (analyst) will be the announcers while Lisa Salters reports courtside.

What are the latest odds for Heat vs. Timberwolves?

Spread: MIA: (-1.5), MIN: (+1.5)

Moneyline: MIA: -125, MIN: +105

Point total: 243.5