The Wolves’ new theater-style lighting made its debut for the season opener. The crowd was mostly in the dark except for the first few rows, giving the game a more intimate atmosphere akin to what the Knicks and Lakers have in their arenas. Coach Chris Finch joked before the game he didn’t anticipate there would be an issue adjusting for the lighting, but that the players might “only complain about it on the misses.”
Former Wolves owner Glen Taylor and his wife, Becky, were in their usual seats near the Wolves bench, even though Taylor, who also owns the Minnesota Star Tribune, does not own the team anymore after transferring ownership to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez in June. As part of the purchase agreement they parties agreed to in 2021, Taylor retains without charge, four courtside seats, one suite and two reserved parking spaces for every Wolves and Lynx game.
Rob Dillingham didn’t play Sunday after suffering a fractured nose in Sunday’s game against the Lakers. Dillingham played less than a minute in that game before taking an elbow to the nose. But it doesn’t sound as if Dillingham will be out for long. Finch said Dillingham came into the day as a game-time decision but the team ruled him out prior to the contest.
Randle helped the Wolves re-adjust to the absence of Edwards and keep what could’ve been a tricky game against an undermanned but feisty opponent on track for a win. He adapted to what the game needed (scoring and playmaking) at different points in time.
The Wolves are back at it Monday at home on a back-to-back with Denver. That game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. as the back end of a Peacock doubleheader.