Nuggets Rally Past Timberwolves in a Pivotal Show of Depth
The Denver Nuggets defeated the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 127-114 on Monday night, led by a dominant performance from Nikola Jokic and a standout third quarter from Jamal Murray. With Anthony Edwards sidelined by a strained right hamstring and reserve guard Jaylen Clark unavailable due to left calf tightness, Minnesota faced an uphill battle as Denver stretched a tight halftime gap into a comfortable victory.
Jokic, already in midseason form, posted a triple-double with 25 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, marking his third triple-double in three games this season. The Nuggets, who had lost all four regular-season meetings with Minnesota last year, found a clear edge once the third quarter opened, capitalizing on their depth and Jokic’s all-around brilliance. Murray, too, delivered a remarkable scoring burst, finishing with 43 points on 16-of-29 shooting including five three-pointers.
Edwards’ absence was felt from the outset as Minnesota attempted to lean on its healthy core. Jaden McDaniels stepped up with 25 points to lead the Timberwolves, while Julius Randle contributed 24 and Naz Reid added 18. Yet without their star guard, Minnesota couldn’t sustain the necessary offensive rhythm to match Denver’s late-quarter surge.
The Third Quarter: Murray’s Takeover and Denver’s Momentum
The turning point came early in the third, when Murray opened with five quick points, including a jumper and a three-pointer, signaling the shift in the game’s momentum. His third triple in the quarter propelled Denver into the lead as the Nuggets outscored Minnesota 28-21 in the frame. When Murray connected on a third 3-pointer of the period, Denver grabbed a 79-78 edge and never looked back.
Denver’s offense found its footing behind Murray’s aggression and Jokic’s unrelenting playmaking. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 20 points, and Peyton Watson chipped in 12, providing the Nuggets with timely scoring when Minnesota tried to answer. The third-quarter burst extended into a 10-0 run late in the period, with Watson scoring eight points including back-to-back corner threes to widen the cushion to 102-94 heading into the final stanza.
Defense, Depth and the Edwards Absence
The absence of Edwards gave Denver a notable tactical edge, particularly in how Jokic could operate without the need to force extra shots from his backcourt. Jokic’s triple-double underscores his continued all-around impact—he continues to be the engine for a Nuggets team built to win in multiple ways. Denver’s defense stepped up in key moments, stifling Minnesota’s ability to get clean looks and forcing the Timberwolves into difficult late-clock possessions.
On Minnesota’s side, the injury to Edwards is a critical blow to the starting lineup, limiting the team’s scorers and Darius Garland-like creativity at the guard position. McDaniels showed resilience with a team-high 25 points, yet the absence of a primary scoring option hindered their ability to sustain offensive pressure after halftime.
Stat Highlights and Game Flow
Jokic’s 25-19-10 triple-double marked a continuation of his stellar start to the season and placed him among NBA’s all-time leaders with 167 career triple-doubles, now third on the list. Murray’s 43 points on a heavy workload demonstrated his capacity to carry the offense in the absence of Edwards, while Hardaway’s 20 points provided a crucial secondary scoring punch. For Minnesota, McDaniels’ 25 points and Reid’s 18 offered productive nights, but they couldn’t close the gap once Denver seized momentum in the third quarter.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Denver returns home to host New Orleans, a test of consistency against a steady Pelicans squad. Minnesota will travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, aiming to regroup and recover from the back-to-back impact of injuries and a stiff road test.
In a matchup that underscored how much Denver’s depth can compensate for opponent absences, the Nuggets demonstrated they can control games with a balanced offensive attack and disciplined defense, even when their primary rivals are shorthanded.
