Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out

NBA League Pass is a gift to basketball fans worldwide.

With multiple subscription options, fans are provided with access to broadcast or stream live NBA games for all teams around the league, with some restrictions. These restrictions exist within the regional markets of the 28 cities that host the NBA's 30 franchises, as regional sports networks (RSNs) often carry exclusive rights to broadcast games, which cannot be viewed on NBA League Pass or NBA TV within that market.

With the exception of nationally-televised games, NBA blackout rules often limit the ways in which fans can watch teams within their home market.

How do these blackouts work? Here's what to know about the NBA's blackout restrictions entering the 2021-22 season.

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)

NBA blackout policy

Per NBA.com, NBA League Pass' "blackout restrictions include your local NBA team(s) and all nationally televised games. Blacked-out games will be available for viewing after the game has concluded."

To break this down further, said blackouts are location-specific. Fans located in a specific team's region are not able to view that team's games live on NBA League Pass or on NBA TV, when applicable.

In these circumstances, local fans' only option to watch games live are on a local broadcaster through cable, satellite or streaming television service.

How is NBA blackout location determined?

With respect to blackout restrictions, location is determined by your IP address and, when applicable, your device's location services. 

According to NBA.com, "within the US and Canada, a zip code is used to determine what teams are covered by your local broadcaster." Whenever your location changes, so too does your blackout restrictions for games that are live and locally televised.

How can you watch blacked out games?

There are a few options to watch blacked out games on NBA League Pass.

For games that are broadcast locally, games can be viewed on an RSN in your area through cable, satellite or a streaming service. Nationally televised games can be viewed on TNT, ESPN or ABC through cable, satellite or streaming television subscription.

On NBA League Pass, blacked out nationally broadcast games are available to view in the archives three hours after airing. In the US, blacked out games that are televised locally can be viewed three days after airing.

What if your television provider does not include the RSN that airs local NBA telecasts?

If you have a subscription to a cable, satellite or streaming television service like YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu Live TV or FuboTV, and the RSN that airs NBA games is not a part of the subscription, the above blackout rules still apply.

Because blackout restrictions are based on zip code, your location will prevent you from watching your local team's games live on NBA League Pass and NBA TV. This applies for both home and away games.

Ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season, Commissioner Adam Silver addressed this issue, saying "we’re very focused on reshaping the model in terms of the way our games are distributed now so that even if games are on cable or satellite in a local market, that fans who don’t choose to subscribe to a larger bundle aren’t disenfranchised from the league.

"And the numbers are particularly dramatic for our younger fans, who generally either are not subscribing to cable or satellite, or to the extent they are, are largely using it to watch other platforms, using it as a broadband provider."

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Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out
Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the NBA. The basketball team plays at Target Center. They are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The expansion team has had a hard time in the league, but they have been able to make it to the playoffs multiple times. The Timberwolves main colors are midnight blue, lake blue, grey, white, and green. Their logo is a wolf howling, with a blue basketball behind them. Crunch the Wolf is the teams mascot. He and the fans are always cheering on the team through the whole season. Especially games against rivals like the Thunder. The Minnesota Timberwolves games are not always available because the NBA implements blackout restrictions. Fans can watch the Minnesota Timberwolves through the whole season and avoid the blackouts with a VPN.

How to Use a VPN to Watch the Minnesota Timberwolves

Here’s a quick guide for watching Minnesota Timberwolves basketball with a VPN.

  • Sign up for ExpressVPN (30 day risk-free money-back guarantee)
  • Install the ExpressVPN browser extension, desktop, or mobile app.
  • Launch the ExpressVPN app and select a server in your chosen region. We recommend Canada or Mexico for viewing NBA games to bypass blackout restrictions.
  • Cheer on your favorite team through NBA League Pass or any of the popular streaming services that broadcast the games.

Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out

Why You Need a VPN to Watch the Minnesota Timberwolves

Before we get more in depth as to how to watch Timberwolves games with a VPN let us tell you more about the benefits of using a VPN for watching sports. Sports often have blackout restrictions for multiple reasons. One is an attempt to encourage more people to go to the game. Another is that the broadcast is only available in certain countries or regions. A VPN can help you out in these situations because it allows you to change your IP address. It does this by allowing you to choose a server location and assigning you an IP address from the region. If you choose a server in an area that the game is watchable, then you will be able to stream it. A VPN also hides your IP address and helps protect your privacy.

NBA teams have 82 games a year. They are available through NBA League Pass, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, AT&T TV Now, YouTube TV, and fuboTV. While they offer access to out of market games, they often blackout in market games. Some also geo-block those who want to watch from other regions of the world. Connecting to a VPN will help you avoid the blackout restrictions to cheer on your favorite team all season long.

Timberwolves History and Division Info

The Timberwolves were the second franchise in the NBA to be based in the Twin Cities. The original arena they used is the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. They debuted at home against the Bulls, but ended up losing by 12 points. Luckily they got their first win two days later. The Minnesota Timberwolves had trouble during their early years. After getting Kevin Garnett in 1995, they qualified for playoffs for eight seasons in a row. The team was beaten in the first round every year but once. The team after their great run in 2004, ended up going on a 14 year long playoff drought streak that ended in 2018. Their developing basketball members play with the Iowa Wolves. The Timberwolves have had some great players over time like Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, and Andrew Wiggins.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were always part of the Northwest division. Here is the Timberwolves Northwest division schedule for the 2021-2022 season:

  • Timberwolves vs. Nuggets – Oct 30 (H), Dec 15 (A), Feb 1 (H), Apr 1 (A)
  • Timberwolves vs. Thunder – Jan 5 (H), Jan 7 (A), Mar 4 (A), Mar 9 (H)
  • Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers – Dec 12 (A), Jan 25 (A), Mar 5 (H), Mar 7 (H)
  • Timberwolves vs. Jazz – Dec 8 (H), Dec 23 (A), Dec 31 (A), Jan 30 (H)

The Timberwolves will play a total of 4 games against each in division team during the regular season. The winner of the Northwest division will be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

How to Watch Minnesota Timberwolves Games with ExpressVPN

Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out

ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN for watching sports. They have server locations all over the world that allow you to access virtually any sport. One of the most important reasons for using a VPN is to make sure you are safe while streaming sports. ExpressVPN keeps you safe by masking your IP and encrypting your data. ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers around the world that can be connected to at any time. They also give you a kill switch that will kick in if the VPN was to disconnect. It will ensure that your information remains safe, while the VPN reconnects. They do not keep activity logs. ExpressVPN provides protection, while you stream sports.

Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN to help you get around blackout restrictions and stream your favorite sports. You will be able to watch events in HD because there is not limit on the amount of bandwidth you use. ExpressVPN can be used on Mac, PC, smart TVs, iOS, Android, routers, and more. We are excited to share with readers our exclusive discount. When you sign up for a year subscription to the VPN service, you will save 49% and get an extra 3 months free. ExpressVPN also offers a 30 day money back guarantee.

Why is the Timberwolves game blacked out