The Minnesota Timberwolves have gained momentum in the NBA Playoffs, overcoming early setbacks to compete against the Denver Nuggets. They aim to secure a series win by winning one of the two remaining games.
Key points
Timberwolves have gained momentum in the NBA Playoffs
They lost the series opener against the Nuggets
Minnesota won Game 2 on Denver's home court
Injury-related setbacks affected their early performance
They need to win one of the two remaining games to advance
Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver NuggetsAyo Dosunmu
Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrates with fans after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves have metaphorically “flipped the switch” to begin the NBA Playoffs, and it comes just in the nick of time. Despite the injury-related setbacks that arose in the first handful of games of their first-round series with Denver, the Wolves are still positioned to make a statement and take out the No. 3 seed Nuggets by winning one of the two remaining games.
An Ideal Start Off the Block
After dropping the series opener in Denver, the Minnesota Timberwolves were forced to look inward and figure out how to put their stamp on the series moving forward. When the Wolves stole Game 2 on Denver’s home floor, Minnesota’s mentality underwent a seismic shift.
Anthony Edwards dropped 30 points and added 10 rebounds on a hobbled knee, Rudy Gobert was excellent, and the defensive effort played a major role in turning a 19-point deficit into a series-turning win. The Wolves headed back to Target Center with the series tied 1-1 and decided it was now theirs to lose.
In addition to a change in their overall mindset, the Wolves found an offensive formula that exposed the Nuggets’ inability to protect the rim. As of ‘s Timberwolves-themed channel shows us in a fantastic, of Game 2, Minnesota “snatched back” the series with their performance.
Q&A
How did the Timberwolves perform in their first-round series against the Nuggets?
The Timberwolves initially struggled, losing the first game but rebounded by winning Game 2 on the Nuggets' home court.
What challenges have the Timberwolves faced during the playoffs?
The Timberwolves faced injury-related setbacks that impacted their performance in the early games of the series.
What do the Timberwolves need to do to win the series against the Nuggets?
To win the series, the Timberwolves need to secure victory in one of the two remaining games against the Nuggets.
Who are the key players for the Timberwolves in the playoffs?
Ayo Dosunmu has been highlighted as a key player, contributing significantly with important plays like three-point shots.
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Exposing the Nuggets’ faulty rim-protection, which has been an issue all season long for Denver, has been and will continue to be key in closing out the series for Minnesota. After Game 2, Wolf Wise Statistics brilliantly put this into a chart for a more easily digestible view on just how important this will be for Minnesota.
Jaden “All Bad Defenders” McDaniels
Following Game 2’s intense and at times chippy nature, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels gave a statement that was heard ’round the world. When asked what the Wolves figured out offensively to get things rolling, Jaden responded, “They’re all bad defenders.”
The Minnesota Star Tribune‘s Chris Hine captured the moment on video, and it went viral, seen nearly nine million times on X. This sparked a firestorm between the two teams’ fanbases and instantly turned McDaniels into Denver’s biggest archenemy — with some even calling him a “villain.”
The Rudy Renaissance
At times during the regular season, Rudy Gobert looked like a shell of himself, which admittedly had Wolves fans feeling uneasy about their playoff chances. Since the playoffs began, Rudy has been vintage and nothing short of incredible.
Tasked with defending one of the most gifted offensive players the NBA has ever seen in Nikola Jokic, Gobert had his work cut out for him. Lucky for the Timberwolves, Rudy has been up for the challenge — and has even taken the matchup personally.
After missing out on being named a finalist for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, Rudy admittedly had a chip on his shoulder heading into the postseason. As Timberwolves beat writer Dane Moore captured after Game 2’s 119-114 victory, Gobert did not like that his efforts had been overlooked. While he denied the snub giving him any “extra juice” in this matchup, his effort seems to prove otherwise.
Game 3 proved just how important home-court advantage in the NBA Playoffs can be. The Wolves stymied the Nuggets right from the jump. In the first quarter, Minnesota allowed only 11 points to one of the NBA’s most powerful offenses. Not only is this a stellar defensive effort, but Denver’s 11 points in a quarter set a Wolves franchise record.
Minnesota never looked back and won Game 3 by a score of 113-96. This gave them a 2-1 series edge, with one more home game before heading back to Denver.
The Game 4 Unpredictability
Going into Game 4, the Wolves had a clean injury report — which has been a rarity this season. What they didn’t see coming, however, turned out to be the story of the night. The devastating injuries to both Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards, followed by the extraordinary effort from Ayo Dosunmu, took Minnesota into uncharted territory. DiVincenzo was diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Edwards suffered both a hyperextended left knee and a deep bone bruise.
While this gutted many fans’ hopes, Ayo wasn’t going to let that be the only headline. Dosunmu picked up the slack in incredible fashion, scoring a career-high 43 points, adding four rebounds, and going 5-for-5 from three, leading the Wolves to a 112-96 win at home and a commanding 3-1 series lead.
The Old-School Nature of the Rivalry
In the era of high-scoring games and oftentimes lackluster defensive efforts, this matchup has been nothing of the sort. Many say the NBA “isn’t what it used to be.” Well, if that sentiment rings true for you, this rivalry is one you don’t want to miss.
As Chris Hine wrote for the Minnesota Star Tribune, this matchup “hearkens to an earlier era of the game”.
With a debilitated starting lineup, Minnesota gave the Nuggets a run for their money in Game 5 at Denver. Despite their best efforts on the road, the Nuggets got the best of the Wolves, winning the game 125-113. Treated as the “villain”, Jaden McDaniels struggled mightily and finished the game a -25. In this series, the two games in which McDaniels finished a -17 or worse, the Wolves have lost.
With the recent injury luck Minnesota has had, Jaden will inarguably have to be better for the Wolves to pull out one more and ultimately clinch the series.
Championship Mentality
After Game 3, The Athletic‘s senior writer Jon Krawczynski caught the response of Wolves head coach Chris Finch when asked about their overall aspirations.
“We’re not trying to beat Denver,” said Finch. “We’re trying to win a championship.”
Of course, they’re trying to beat Denver to advance. However, Jon notably points out that Minnesota’s mentality has shifted over the years. Reaching the WCF is no longer adequate for Finch, nor should it be. The Wolves now have eyes on an even bigger prize.
This hinges on two things. Minnesota getting meaningful contributions from the bench to make up for DiVincenzo’s production is first. Second, if Anthony Edwards can return at some point next series (assuming they close out Denver), then nothing is off the table.