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NBA playoffs 2026 takeaways: Anthony Edwards perseveres, Rudy Gobert makes Nikola Jokić look human as Timberwolves stun Nuggets
TL;DR
The Timberwolves stunned the Nuggets with a 119-114 victory, tying the series at 1-1. Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert played crucial roles in the comeback after trailing by 19 points.
Key points
- Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point deficit
- Game 2 ended with a 119-114 victory for the Timberwolves
- Series is now tied at 1-1
- Rudy Gobert's defense impacted Nikola Jokić
- Next game will be in Minnesota
Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver NuggetsAnthony EdwardsRudy Gobert
The Nuggets appeared to be cruising to a 2-0 series lead Monday night as they opened a 44-25 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But the Timberwolves rallied to take the lead in the second quarter. And they rallied again in the fourth against a Nuggets team that looked outmatched and out of gas down the stretch to stun the Denver home crowd in a 119-114 win.
The series is now tied at 1-1 and headed to Minnesota for Game 3. And now, it’s anybody’s game. Here’s how the Timberwolves got the job done — and how the Nuggets didn’t — in Game 2.
Rudy Gobert makes Nikola Jokić look human
Rudy Gobert flustered Nikola Jokić early in Game 1 before the Nuggets pulled away behind Jamal Murray’s 30 points.
On Tuesday, Gobert made life hard on Jokić virtually whenever he was on the floor. In the end, he helped limit Jokić to two fourth-quarter points as the Timberwolves rallied to stun the Nuggets.
Early on, Jokić let the game come to him. He didn’t attempt a field goal as Denver opened up a 28-13 first-quarter lead in the game’s first nine minutes. Jokić settled into his role as a playmaker and thrived while racking up five assists before taking his first shot from the field.
But after the Timberwolves punched back to take the lead in the second quarter, waiting was no longer an option. And outside of his 16-point third quarter, Jokić was largely a non-factor as a scorer, especially when matched up with Gobert.
Jokić scored just six points in the first half. And as Minnesota outscored Denver 29-21 in the fourth quarter, Jokić shot 1 of 7 in the final frame as Gobert repeatedly challenged him at the rim.
Rudy Gobert showed why he is a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year with these CLUTCH stops on the 3-time MVP Nikoka Jokic! pic.twitter.com/ygRYwZPOF7
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) April 21, 2026
The two-man game with Jamal Murray that paced Denver’s Game 1 win was no longer effective as Minnesota took control. Jokić finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists. But he faltered down the stretched, turned the ball over three times and shot just 8 of 20 from the field and 1 of 7 from 3.
Gobert’s box score (2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 5 fouls) left a lot to be desired. But his impact on the game was evident to anyone who was watching Monday night.
Q&A
How did the Timberwolves come back to win against the Nuggets in Game 2?
The Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point deficit, taking the lead in the second quarter and maintaining their momentum to secure a 119-114 victory.
What impact did Rudy Gobert have on Nikola Jokić in the game?
Rudy Gobert effectively flustered Nikola Jokić early in the game, contributing to the Nuggets' struggles and helping the Timberwolves gain the upper hand.
What is the current status of the NBA playoffs series between the Timberwolves and Nuggets?
The series is currently tied at 1-1, with the next game scheduled to take place in Minnesota.
Who were the standout players in the Timberwolves' victory over the Nuggets?
Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert were key players in the Timberwolves' victory, with Gobert's defense on Jokić being particularly noteworthy.
