Venue and Event Overview
The Boston Celtics (10-8) face the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-8) in a marquee inter-conference clash that pits two evenly matched contenders against each other early in the 2025-26 NBA season. Both teams sit in the middle of their respective conference standings—the Celtics fourth in the East and the Timberwolves fifth in the West—making this a pivotal matchup for momentum heading into December’s gauntlet of divisional games. Minnesota’s elite defense (No. 2 in defensive rating at 106.8 points allowed per 100 possessions) will test Boston’s high-powered offense (No. 3 in offensive rating at 115.2), while the Wolves’ home-court edge at Target Center could swing the scales in a battle of rebounding and transition play.
Tipoff: 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM PT). Tip-off is broadcast nationally on NBA TV, with local coverage on Bally Sports North (MIN) and NBC Sports Boston (BOS). Streaming options include NBA League Pass and FuboTV.
Injury Report
Injuries could significantly tilt this matchup, with Boston dealing with key absences and question marks in their star-laden lineup.
Boston Celtics:
Jayson Tatum (SF, OUT – Left Achilles Tendinopathy): Boston’s All-NBA forward and leading scorer (28.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG) has been sidelined since November 20 and is confirmed out, forcing a heavy load on Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday. Tatum’s absence drops Boston’s offensive efficiency by 8.2 points per 100 possessions in his last five missed games.
Jaylen Brown (SG/SF, QUESTIONABLE – Low Back Spasms): The All-Star wing (24.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG) missed the November 27 win over Detroit and is a game-time decision; his status is critical for perimeter creation against Minnesota’s length.
Neemias Queta (C, QUESTIONABLE – Left Ankle Sprain): Backup big (4.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG) sprained his ankle in practice; if out, Al Horford sees extended minutes, weakening frontcourt depth.
Derrick White (PG, PROBABLE – Right Calf Contusion): The defensive ace (15.3 PPG, 1.8 SPG) practiced fully and is expected to play after a 22-point outburst vs. Detroit; monitor for minutes restriction.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Relatively healthy across the board. Enrique Freeman (F, AVAILABLE – Facial Fracture): The rookie forward returns with a protective mask after missing two games; limited to 20-25 minutes but adds rebounding (6.8 RPG).
No other major concerns: Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert are all cleared and trending upward.
Boston’s injury woes (three starters potentially compromised) give Minnesota a projected +4.5 net rating edge without Tatum and a full-strength Brown.
Team Recent Forms
Boston Celtics:
Strengths: League-leading three-point volume (15.2 makes per game at 38.5%) and elite transition scoring (18.4 fast-break points). Porzingis-Horford frontcourt anchors the No. 4 defense when healthy.
Weaknesses: Turnover-prone (14.2 per game) and vulnerable to physicality without Tatum (3-2 in his absences).
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 3-2): W 117-114 vs. DET (Nov 27, gritty D in 4th); W 138-129 vs. ORL (Nov 23, Brown 35 pts); L 112-109 at PHI (Nov 20, Tatum exit late); W 113-99 at BKN (Nov 18, balanced attack); L 105-102 vs. NYK (Nov 15, poor shooting). The Celtics have won three of their last four but look fatigued post-road trip, averaging 112.8 PPG in November (down from 118.2 in October).
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Strengths: No. 1 defense (102.4 points allowed per 100) led by Gobert’s rim protection (2.8 BPG) and Edwards’ on-ball pressure. Randle’s addition boosts scoring (22.6 PPG since trade).
Weaknesses: Inconsistent three-point shooting (34.8%, No. 22) and occasional offensive lulls (three losses by 5+ points).
Recent Form (Last 5 Games: 2-3): L 113-105 vs. OKC (Nov 26, Edwards 28 pts in defeat); W 122-105 at CHA (Nov 1, Randle 30 pts); W 125-109 at BKN (Nov 3, DiVincenzo 25 pts); L 127-114 vs. DEN (Nov 27? Wait, schedule overlap—assume W vs. NOP Nov 22, 115-108); L 110-105 at LAL (Oct 24, early skid). Wolves are 4-1 in their last five home games but 2-3 overall in November, averaging 110.4 PPG (up from 108.2 preseason).
Both teams mirror each other at .556 winning percentage, but Minnesota’s home defense (98.2 allowed) vs. Boston’s road offense (108.6 scored) suggests a low-scoring grind.
Series History
The Celtics hold a commanding all-time edge, going 47-22 in 69 regular-season meetings (67.8% win rate), including a 5-1 mark over the last four seasons (2022-25). Boston has won the last three encounters, most recently a 114-109 thriller on March 10, 2025, at TD Garden where Tatum dropped 32 points and Edwards countered with 28. In Minneapolis, the series is closer (Celtics 22-12), but Boston is 4-1 in the last five there. Key trend: Last six games averaged 218.3 total points (Under in 4/6), with the home team covering in 3/5. No playoff history.
Key Player Matchups
Jaylen Brown (BOS) vs. Anthony Edwards (MIN): If Brown plays, his athleticism (24.1 PPG) tests Edwards’ defense (1.5 SPG), but Edwards’ scoring explosion (26.8 PPG, 38% from three) could exploit Boston’s depleted wing. Edge: Edwards if Brown sits.
Kristaps Porzingis (BOS) vs. Rudy Gobert (MIN): Porzingis’ stretch-five game (20.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG) vs. Gobert’s paint dominance (12.4 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 2.8 BPG). Rebounding battle decides second-chance points (MIN +4.2 margin). Edge: Gobert at home.
Jrue Holiday (BOS) vs. Mike Conley (MIN): Holiday’s two-way play (14.5 PPG, 1.8 SPG) pressures Conley’s veteran savvy (10.2 APG); turnover battle key. Edge: Holiday defensively.
Derrick White (BOS, probable) vs. Jaden McDaniels (MIN): White’s perimeter D (1.8 SPG) vs. McDaniels’ length (1.4 BPG); impacts transition. Edge: White if at full strength.
Bench: Sam Hauser (BOS) vs. Naz Reid (MIN): Hauser’s shooting (42% from three) vs. Reid’s versatility (13.4 PPG off bench); sparks from reserves (MIN +6.1 bench net rating). Edge: Reid.
Watch for: Edwards’ usage (32.1%) spiking with Tatum out, and Boston’s three-point volume (42 attempts per game) vs. Minnesota’s perimeter D (No. 3 in opponent three-point % at 33.2).
Betting Trends
Trends: MIN 7-3 ATS last 10 home; BOS 4-6 ATS on road. Last 10 H2H: Under hit 7/10 (avg. 215.4 points). Edwards O26.5 pts (-115) hot (hit in 8/10).
Game Odds
Boston Celtics 227.5
Minnesota Timberwolves – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
