Timberwolves Defeated Heat in Exhibition Match
The Minnesota Timberwolves edged out the Miami Heat 125-124 as both teams rested regular rotation players.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Basketball
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The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Miami Heat 125-124 in a recent exhibition game. Both organizations held out their primary rotation players to manage personnel ahead of the upcoming regular season.
Why it matters
Teams frequently prioritize player rest and depth evaluation during the preseason to ensure roster readiness. This strategy allowed the coaching staff to assess non-rotation players before finalizing the roster.
Ryan Conwell led the Heat with 22 points, while Vlad Goldin added 18 points in the narrow one-point loss. Nick Richards anchored the effort with 10 rebounds, and Simone Fontecchio shot 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
The players
Ryan Conwell
He is a basketball player who paced the Miami offense with 22 points during the exhibition.
Nikola Jovic
He is a professional basketball player who recorded 15 points and six rebounds for Miami.
Simone Fontecchio
He is an athlete who provided 14 points for the team, including an efficient 3-point shooting performance.
Pelle Larsson
He is a basketball player who contributed 14 points before leaving the game due to illness.
Nick Richards
He is a professional basketball player who anchored the defensive effort with 10 total rebounds.
The details
The Heat relied on a younger lineup while missing regular rotation players and injured teammates Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson. Pelle Larsson exited the contest during the third period due to illness, and Nikola Jovic contributed 15 points along with six rebounds and three assists.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: The Heat played the Timberwolves in an exhibition game.
October 15, 2026: Heat play home exhibition against Brooklyn Nets.
October 17, 2026: Heat play road exhibition against Orlando Magic.
October 18, 2026: Heat roster deadline to cut to 18 players.
October 21, 2026: Heat and Timberwolves play regular-season opener.
Season Trajectory
This exhibition period serves as a critical evaluative window for teams looking to trim rosters before the upcoming league-mandated deadline. The results provide coaches with final data points to determine which players secure the remaining spots on the active bench.
The team currently carries 21 players, meaning several athletes must be cut to meet the 15-man standard contract limit plus three two-way slots by the October 18 deadline. The performance of reserves in this game directly informs which players remain under contract for the season opener.
The takeaway
Preseason games serve as vital opportunities for coaches to test depth without risking key starters. Fans should monitor the roster cut-down process as teams prepare for the high-stakes regular season opener.
What happens next
The Miami Heat must finalize their roster by cutting down to 18 players on October 18, 2026. Following the preseason finale against Orlando on October 17, the team will begin the regular season against the Timberwolves on October 21, 2026.
Further reading
For more coverage on the team, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
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