Jimmy Butler explains where his focus is going into the Timberwolves' season opener against the the Spurs. (0:30)

Butler on opener: 'Try not to get kicked out of the game' (0:30)

SAN ANTONIO -- After a turmoil-filled preseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be walking into a bit of an unknown situation Wednesday night when they open their regular season on the road against the San Antonio Spurs.

Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said he wasn't sure how long he'd play Jimmy Butler, who missed the entire preseason rehabbing after a wrist procedure.

Minnesota star center Karl-Anthony Towns suggested it wasn't clear whether the team was "ready" for the start of the regular season, given how poorly Minnesota played during the preseason amid questions surrounding Butler's trade request.

And Butler himself sounded unsure as to exactly how he'd react if his teammates didn't show enough intensity now that the season is upon them.

"I think we'll bring [the intensity]. If not, you'll see me yelling at people. That's what I'm supposed to do," Butler said. "And you'll see me talking with guys nicely. That's what I'm supposed to do."

Towns, asked whether the team feels ready for the start of the season, said it was too late to be concerned with that notion.

"Don't matter how we feel. We gotta get it done, because it's here," he said. "We can't worry about all that stuff. We're playing well in practice. The hope is that the product transfers over into the game. If we can do that, we'll be just fine."

Days earlier, minutes after a blowout loss to Milwaukee in the Wolves' preseason finale, Towns sounded a frustrated tone, saying, "This momentum we're riding, this wave we're riding, it's not good. It's not good at all."

Minnesota, which went 1-4 during the preseason, surrendered an NBA-high 112.8 points per 100 possessions during the disjointed exhibition campaign.

As for Butler's minutes in the opener, Thibodeau said he'd play the situation by ear, and likely use the four-time All-Star in shorter segments than what he's accustomed to. Butler played almost 37 minutes per game last season, tied for the second-highest mark in the league.