Timberwolves vs. Bulls: tip-off time and broadcast checks

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls play on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time — 7 p.m. in Chicago and 9 p.m. in Brasília. The preseason game will be held at the United Center. Because the reviewed sources do not confirm a specific broadcaster in every market, the safest approach is to check the NBA game page and the official team schedules close to tip-off.

Date, time and venue

The official Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves schedules show the same fixture: Bulls vs. Timberwolves on October 16 at 8 p.m. ET, at the United Center, labeled “Preseason.”

The corresponding times by market are:

• Chicago: October 16 at 7 p.m. CDT;
• U.S. Eastern Time: October 16 at 8 p.m. EDT;
• Brasília: October 16 at 9 p.m. BRT;
• mainland Spain and France: October 17 at 2 a.m. CEST.

The next-day date in Europe is solely a consequence of the time difference. Sports schedules can change, so check the official listing again on game day.

Where to verify the broadcast

The available sources do not name a particular local or national broadcaster for this matchup in every country. The NBA’s official games hub is the first place to look for an updated game card, while both team pages can confirm the time, arena and any information later added to the viewing column.

The NBA League Pass page says the service carries live and on-demand games, but it also states that blackouts and other restrictions apply. Availability depends on location and media rights; the service’s existence alone does not confirm that this preseason game will be accessible in Brazil, the United States, Spain or France. Check the page while signed in and from the region where you plan to watch.

What preseason means

Both schedules label the game “Preseason.” That clearly separates it from regular-season fixtures, which the pages organize under numbered weeks. The October 16 result therefore should not be counted as a win or loss in the regular-season standings.

For viewers, the useful approach is to watch how each team allocates minutes, experiments with combinations and structures its rotations. Those are points to observe during the game, not lineup choices or plans established by the cited sources. The schedules also provide no basis for predictions about starters, absences or minutes restrictions.

A meeting before the regular season

This is the final preseason game listed for both teams. On Chicago’s schedule, it follows an October 14 trip to Milwaukee; on Minnesota’s, it follows a home game against Detroit on the same date.

The regular season comes next: the Bulls visit Toronto on October 21, while the Timberwolves play at Miami that same day. That proximity explains the preparatory role of the United Center meeting without making the exhibition a definitive measure of either team’s later performance.

How to follow it without mixing competitions

Before tip-off, confirm three details on the official game card: the “Preseason” label, the time displayed for your region and any available viewing button or broadcaster. After the game, read the result and statistics within that context and separately from the regular-season standings.

It is also wise not to reuse broadcast information from another game on the schedule. Rights, blackouts, and audio or video options can differ by matchup and territory, even on the same platform.

Quick guide

Timberwolves vs. Bulls is scheduled for October 16 at 7 p.m. in Chicago and 9 p.m. in Brasília, at the United Center. In mainland Spain and France, tip-off falls at 2 a.m. on October 17. Verify the specific broadcast through the NBA games hub, the team schedules and the service available in your region.