Minnesota Timberwolves defeats Denver Nuggets 117-108
Denver Nuggets Fall Short Against Resurgent Timberwolves, 108-117
The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a strong start by the Denver Nuggets to secure a road victory, 117-108, at Ball Arena on March 1st, 2026. Despite a dominant first quarter, the Nuggets faltered in the second, allowing the Timberwolves to seize control and ultimately hold on for a crucial win in the 2025 regular season.
Game Flow
The Denver Nuggets exploded out of the gates in the first quarter, showcasing their offensive firepower. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray connected early and often, leading to a 31-22 lead for Denver at the end of Q1. However, the Timberwolves responded emphatically in the second quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 36-19. Minnesota’s bench proved impactful, spearheaded by strong play from Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards, shifting the momentum decisively in their favor. Halftime score saw the Timberwolves leading 58-50.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets. Denver attempted to regain the lead, relying heavily on Jokic’s post presence, but the Timberwolves matched them point-for-point, ending the quarter tied at 32-32. This kept Minnesota ahead 90-82 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter saw a continued tight contest. While Denver made several runs, led by Murray’s clutch shooting, Minnesota consistently answered back. Key free throws down the stretch by Edwards and a pivotal offensive rebound by Karl-Anthony Towns sealed the victory for the Timberwolves. The Nuggets struggled to find consistent offense outside of their stars, and turnovers proved costly. The final score reflected a hard-fought battle, ultimately ending in a 117-108 victory for Minnesota.
Highlight Players
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves): Edwards led all scorers with a stellar performance, finishing with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He was relentless attacking the basket and effectively utilized his mid-range game, particularly in the second half when the Nuggets tried to contain him. Edwards shot 11-of-22 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): Jokic put up a monster double-double with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. He dominated the paint and showed his usual exceptional passing ability, but struggled with his shooting touch at times. Jokic shot 10-of-21 from the field, showcasing the physicality he faced from the Timberwolves’ frontcourt, impacting his FG%.
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves): Towns contributed significantly to the Timberwolves' victory, recording 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. He provided a strong interior presence alongside Edwards and Reid, and secured crucial rebounds in the final quarter. Towns shot 8-of-16 and also added 2 blocks.
Team Stats Breakdown
The Minnesota Timberwolves demonstrated overall efficiency, shooting FG% 50.0% compared to the Nuggets’ 45.7%. A major difference-maker was rebounding; Minnesota dominated the glass, securing 50 rebounds to Denver’s 40. Points in the paint favored Minnesota 56-48, highlighting their effectiveness in getting to the basket.
Assists were relatively even, with the Timberwolves recording 28 and the Nuggets 27. However, turnovers proved costly for Denver, committing 18 compared to Minnesota’s 12. This translated to 22 points off turnovers for Minnesota. The Timberwolves also capitalized on second-chance points, earning 16 compared to Denver’s 8. Denver’s three-point shooting was below their season average, hitting just 9-of-28 (32.1%), while Minnesota connected on 13-of-33 (39.4%). Free throw shooting remained fairly similar, with Minnesota shooting 81.8% (22-27) and Denver at 76.9% (20-26).
Next Game Preview
The Denver Nuggets will look to bounce back when they travel to face the Utah Jazz on March 2nd, 2026. This will be a crucial game for the Nuggets as they attempt to maintain their positioning in the Western Conference standings. The Jazz, currently battling for a play-in spot, will undoubtedly provide a tough challenge, especially on their home court. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM MST.