In a remarkable display of resilience and precision, the Denver Nuggets clinched a crucial 115-107 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, evening out the series at 2-2 and taking back home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.
The game on Sunday saw the Nuggets execute a formidable 12-0 run towards the end of the first quarter, finishing it with a lead of 29-24. They maintained their momentum into the second quarter, initiating with a 12-2 sprint that widened their lead substantially. Although the Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, narrowed the gap to 56-49, Denver responded assertively. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope countered an Edwards three-pointer, and Aaron Gordon’s defensive prowess led to a Michael Porter Jr. dunk right before halftime. Yet, the highlight came from Jamal Murray, who intercepted an errant inbounds pass and scored a miraculous 55-foot shot as the half-time buzzer sounded, pushing Denver ahead 64-49.
Despite a concerted effort by Minnesota to close the gap, which they managed to narrow down to 113-107 in the game’s dying moments, the Nuggets held a significant lead through most of the second half. They showcased a revitalized spirit that was absent in the first two games, thanks to exceptional performances across the board. Notably, Nikola Jokić, fresh off his third MVP title, led with 35 points, and Aaron Gordon was unstoppable, hitting his initial ten shots.
Denver shot a solid 57% from the field and 44.8% from the three-point line, with contributions from a robust eight-man rotation. This included the bench, where Justin Holiday, Christian Braun, and Reggie Jackson collectively added 27 points. Their efforts were critical as they outplayed the top-ranked regular-season defense of the Timberwolves, whose offense struggled to keep pace despite Edwards’s impressive 44-point contribution.
As the series moves back to Denver for Game 5, the Nuggets are poised to continue their comeback, aiming to be the sixth team in NBA history to win a series after dropping the first two games at home.