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Tonight’s season opener against Minnesota will be the first regular-season game for Spurs forward Rudy Gay since Jan. 18.

That was the night Gay tore his left Achilles tendon while playing for Sacramento.

“Five months ago, I couldn’t even walk,” Gay said. “Just thinking about it, I get emotional.”

It’s a safe bet those same emotions he felt while talking to reporters after practice Tuesday will surface again just before he steps on the court for the nationally televised game, one that represents the culmination of a long, arduous rehab for the 12th year pro.

“It’s crazy for me,” said Gay, who signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Spurs in July. “Obviously, I didn’t know anything about the injury or what could possibly happen. I just worked my ass off.”

But all that pain and sweat is behind him now. The career 18.4 points per game scorer just wants to get back on the court to begin what he has promised will be the “best comeback ever.”

“It’s time to get to work,” he said.

New-look Timberwolves: The Spurs have won 11 in a row against the Timberwolves, but that was before Minnesota put together an offseason that ranked as one of the league’s most impressive.

The Timberwolves, who finished 31-51 last season, are expected to be one of the NBA’s most improved teams after acquiring three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, gritty post defender Taj Gibson and 2015 All-Star point guard Jeff Teague in the offseason.

“Even without Jimmy, they were dangerous,” Spurs guard Danny Green said. “They are even more dangerous now with him. He brings a lot of toughness defensively and is another guy you have to guard.”

Minnesota is hopeful its offseason haul will combine with young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins to end the franchise’s 13-year playoff drought, the league’s longest.

“They are going to be a pretty good force in the West,” Green said.

Said Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge: “They are better. They have a deep squad. It’s going to be a test for us.”

A different kind of coach: Gay is still getting used to being around such a politically minded, socially aware coach.

“Not in Kansas anymore,” Gay said when asked for his reaction to the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich calling President Donald Trump a “soulless coward” and a “pathological liar” Monday.

“It means a lot,” Gay said of Popovich’s willingness to speak his mind. “Obviously, Pop understands what’s going on.”

Quick hits: Popovich attended the funeral of Phyllis Albeck, the wife of former Spurs coach Stan Albeck, on Tuesday. She died last week at 83 after a brief illness. ... The Spurs announced that former player Matt Bonner will be part of their television broadcasting crew as a studio analyst for a second straight season.