Nuggets-Timberwolves series is a war of attrition — and both teams are losing the battle

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets, one of the few legitimate title contenders, are on the brink of elimination in the first round of these playoffs.

They trail the Minnesota Timberwolves, another championship contender, 3-1 in a best-of-seven set. Except, the Wolves lost both Anthony Edwards (left knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (right Achilles) to injury over the course of Saturday’s 112-96 win.

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Which begs the question: Do either of these teams have what it takes to win a title?

Either team would have to, most likely, march through the San Antonio Spurs in the second round and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, just for the opportunity to compete in the NBA Finals for a title. It is no easy road to hoe.

What is required for the Nuggets? Beating these Wolves three times in a row, which is possible, especially in the absence of Edwards. He is expected to miss multiple weeks after hyperextending his left knee in the third quarter of Saturday’s victory. Denver hosts Games 5 and 7. It will necessitate wins in both and a single road win over the depleted Wolves. Denver will be favored in each of the remaining matchups.

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But the Nuggets’ defense, which rated 21st in the regular season, allowing 116 points per 100 possessions, did not look title-worthy all season. It was better, operating at a top-10 level, when Aaron Gordon was on the court. He was supposed to propel their playoff success, but Gordon is battling a calf injury that kept him out of Game 3 of this series.

What Jaden McDaniels said — that “they’re all bad defenders” in Denver — may not be entirely true, but with a hobbled Gordon there are plenty of places for Minnesota to attack. Timberwolves reserve Ayo Dosunmu worked them for 43 points in Game 4, but it is hard to imagine that happening again. It will be an uphill battle sans Edwards.

The Wolves did outscore opponents by 4.5 points per 100 possessions with Edwards off the floor during the regular season. Likewise, without Edwards and DiVincenzo, they outscored opponents by 3 points per 100 meaningful possessions, according…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nuggets-timberwolves-series-is-a-war-of-attrition–and-both-teams-are-losing-the-battle-170753082.html

Author : Ben Rohrbach

Publish date : 2026-04-26 17:07:00

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