The first game of the 2022 Western Conference Play-In Tournament will feature two teams that exceeded expectations during the regular season.
The Timberwolves enter Tuesday night's game against the Clippers as the No. 7 seed in the West after blowing away their preseason win projection. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for Minnesota, averaging 24.6 points per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from beyond the arc.
MORE: NBA Play-In Tournament, explained
Los Angeles landed at No. 8 in the West standings despite Paul George missing more than half of the regular season and Kawhi Leonard sitting out the entire year. The Clippers' health questions loom large, but they will be a tough opponent for any team as long as Tyronn Lue is pulling the strings from the sideline.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Clippers vs. Timberwolves, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Tuesday's game.
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What channel is Clippers vs. Timberwolves on?
- Date: Tuesday, April 12
- TV channel: TNT (US), TSN (Canada)
- Live stream: Watch TNT, Sling TV, TSN Direct
Clippers vs. Timberwolves will be broadcast live on TNT. You can live-stream the game via the Watch TNT app.
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MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)
In Canada, you can stream the game on TSN Direct.
Clippers vs. Timberwolves start time
- Date: Tuesday, April 12
- Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. PT
The 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff marks the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Cavaliers vs. Nets will be broadcast live on TNT at 7 p.m. ET.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
- The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
- Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
April 12
| Game | Time (ET) | US National TV | Canadian TV |
| Cavaliers vs. Nets | 7 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
| Clippers vs. Timberwolves | 9:30 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
April 13
| Game | Time (ET) | US National TV | Canadian TV |
| Hornets vs. Hawks | 7 p.m. | ESPN | TSN |
| Spurs vs. Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN | SN 360 |
April 15
| Game | Time (ET) | US National TV | Canadian TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | ESPN | — |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TNT | — |
