After Friday’s practice, the Minnesota Timberwolves prepped to go up north to Canada to kick of the NBA’s 2015 Canada Series.

Some players like Karl-Anthony Towns have never been to Canada.

For brothers Andrew and Nick Wiggins, though, it will be a mini-homecoming.

Both are from Toronto and Andrew especially has become the new face of Canadian basketball even though he’s playing in Minnesota.

The Wolves will kick off the series tomorrow in Winnipeg against the Bulls. They will then play the Raptors on Monday in Toronto and against on Wednesday in Ottawa.

“(We're) definitely excited for the road trip in Canada,” Nick said. “… It’s going to be very exciting and obviously a blessing to play where you grew up.”

It will also be an interesting experience for interim head coach Sam Mitchell.

Mitchell coached the Raptors from 2004 to 2009, compiling a 156-189 overall record while winning the 2006-07 Coach of the Year Award. Mitchell was asked if he feels any sort of satisfaction that he has felt with the growth of basketball in Canada since he was head coach.

He didn’t bite.

“No, guys,” Mitchell said. “Ya’ll think a little more of it than I do. I just take it day to day.”

The trip should be good for team building, especially for the rookies and new faces on the squad.

We’ll be posting plenty of content from our folks at NBA Canada throughout the trip, so make sure to check back in.

Muhammad After Hours

After Wednesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shabazz Muhammad was a bit frustrated. So frustrated that after the game, he went to the new practice facility to put up shots at about 10:30 p.m.

He was joined by second-year big man Adreian Payne.

A 24-year-old and a 22-year-old in the gym (after a game) at 10:30 p.m. when they have the following day off. You don’t see that every day.

Muhammad thinks it will be regular thing for some of the younger guys this season.

“I think that’s something that’s great for us young guys and I think it’s going to happen more during the year,” Muhammad said. “We should definitely get in here. This facility is so nice, I can’t help but get in here.”

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