The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves clashed in a Game 4 thriller on Sunday night, with the defending champs showing exactly why they still pose a serious threat in the Western Conference. Riding on a dazzling third-quarter surge, Denver tied the series 2-2 and re-established their championship poise. Let’s break down how the Nuggets flipped the script in Minnesota and what this means moving forward.
Game / News Breakdown
The Nuggets beat the Timberwolves 115-107 in Game 4 at the Target Center, swinging the momentum back in their favor. After dropping the first two games at home, the Nuggets went on the road and pulled off back-to-back wins to even the Western Conference Semifinal series.
The game started with a physical, defensive tone — exactly what you’d expect from two of the top five defenses in the playoffs. Minnesota held a slight lead early, but Denver caught fire in the third quarter, outscoring the Wolves 36-21 in that stretch. The pace shifted sharply, and the Nuggets never looked back.
This win puts the pressure squarely on Minnesota as the series heads back to Denver for Game 5.
Key Players & Performances
Several key names showed up for Denver — and when they’re all clicking, the Nuggets are tough to beat.
– **Nikola Jokić**: The reigning Finals MVP put on a clinic. He scored 35 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists. His unique mix of scoring and playmaking continues to be unmatched in this postseason. When the offense ran through him in the high post, Minnesota had no answers.
– **Jamal Murray**: The Nuggets’ floor leader finally found his groove after a couple of tough outings. Murray added 19 points and hit several timely buckets in the second half. His ability to create late in the shot clock was critical during Denver’s third-quarter explosion.
– **Aaron Gordon**: Don’t overlook Gordon — he was all over the floor. Finishing with 27 points on 11-of-12 shooting, he provided the type of explosive frontcourt play that complements Jokić perfectly.
On Minnesota’s side, **Anthony Edwards** continued to impress under the playoff spotlight. The 22-year-old finished with 44 points, carrying much of the scoring load and attacking the rim with fearless aggression. But outside of Edwards, the Wolves struggled to get consistent offense.
– **Karl-Anthony Towns** and **Rudy Gobert** combined for just 24 points. Denver’s interior defense tightened up, especially in the second half, where both bigs had a hard time finding clean looks.
Team Impact & Standings
This series is now knotted at 2-2, and the Nuggets regain homecourt advantage with Game 5 in Denver. That’s a huge shift, especially since the Nuggets are 33-8 at Ball Arena this season (regular season + playoffs combined).
For Denver:
– These last two games showcased their championship experience.
– Jokić’s leadership is peaking at the right moment.
– Depth and role players are stepping up, giving them a more balanced attack.
For Minnesota:
– They’ve shown they can compete with the best, taking two games in Denver.
– However, the offense outside of Edwards needs to step up.
– Their young core is feeling its first real postseason adversity. How they respond in Game 5 will reveal a lot about this squad.
What’s Next
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Denver. With the series now a best-of-three, both teams know the stakes are sky-high.
The Nuggets will look to feed off the energy of their home crowd and continue leaning on their elite execution. If Murray stays locked in and Gordon keeps playing with this level of intensity, it’s hard to bet against them.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has to make offensive adjustments. Edwards can’t do it alone — Towns, Gobert, and Mike Conley need to generate more scoring if they want to steal another road win.
Key factors to watch:
– Can Jokić continue controlling the tempo?
– Will Minnesota rediscover the defensive dominance they showed in Games 1 and 2?
– Can the Wolves slow down Denver’s ball movement and fast-break game?
Conclusion
With everything tied 2-2, the Western Conference Semis have turned into a heavyweight battle. Denver reminded everyone they’re still the champs until someone knocks them out. Minnesota has already proven they belong, but now comes the hardest part — winning late in a tight playoff series against an experienced title team.
Tuesday’s Game 5 could end up deciding the series — and it promises to be must-watch basketball. Stay tuned, NBA fans. This one’s far from over.