MIN
DEN
Preview not available
Jokic scores 41 points and leads Nuggets past Timberwolves 116-107 to take lead in West
DENVER (AP) Nikola Jokic minimized the matchup between teams tied atop the Western Conference standings, then put on a show for the ages - and for anyone still doubting he's the best player on the planet.
The odds-on favorite to win a third MVP trophy, Jokic registered his 20th career 40-point game in powering the Denver Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 on Wednesday night.
Scoring 41 points to go with 11 rebounds and seven assists, Jokic made 16 of 20 shots against the NBA's best defense while being guarded most of the night by the league's top defender, Rudy Gobert, along with Naz Reid. All of it in front of the 41st sellout at Ball Arena and a national television audience on ESPN.
“Nikola always embraces the physicality. He never shies away from it,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Rudy Gobert is going to be a Hall of Fame player one day. Rudy Gobert is going to be regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. And it just speaks to how great Nikola is. I don't think anybody in the NBA can guard Nikola 1-on-1.”
Jamal Murray added 20 points in 27 minutes and Michael Porter Jr. scored 18 for the Nuggets, who pulled away by holding Anthony Edwards without a bucket in the fourth quarter.
Edwards led Minnesota with 25 points but was a non-factor in the fourth as Denver's reserves put on a show featuring Peyton Watson's six blocks and Christian Braun's rim-rattling dunks.
Jokic was eager to talk about the Nuggets' closers.
“They were great,” he said. “P-Wat, it seemed like he was all over the place. He was just full of energy. And C.B., that sequence of two minutes, it was really amazing. I was happy for those guys. I think they don't get enough credit what they are doing on the floor, and they're helping us energy-wise, effort-wise. We need them.”
As for his MVP chances, which he certainly enhanced Wednesday night, Jokic demurred, saying, “I think I'm playing good basketball. The team is playing good basketball. I think there is a lot of guys playing really good basketball in the league and a couple of guys deserve to have that award.”
Edwards said Jokic kept blocking his way to the basket, so he had no choice but to dish and his teammates' shots just weren't falling: “He’s just there, so there’s nowhere for me to go," Edwards said.
The Nuggets (56-24) took a one-game lead over Minnesota and Oklahoma City, who are both 55-25 in the West. The Thunder walloped San Antonio 127-89 on Wednesday night to stay within striking distance of the conference's top seed.
The defending NBA champion Nuggets are a best-in-the-West 33-8 at home - where they parlayed the No. 1 seed last year into a 10-1 playoff record on their way to winning the franchise's first NBA title.
Jokic downplayed this showdown's significance, suggesting, "I don’t think it’s a really big game.” Edwards, though, insisted this was as big as a regular-season game can get.
“We knew what this game was going to determine,” Edwards said. “If we won it, we knew we were going to possibly be the No. 1 seed, and if we lost it, we knew they’d possibly be the No. 1 seed. I think we cared before but now that we lost we can’t do nothing about it.”
Denver trailed much of the night but closed the third quarter on a 9-1 run to take an 83-80 lead into a fourth period they utterly dominated.
Entering the playoffs at optimum health is more important than going into the postseason as the top seed in the West, suggested Malone, who's been saying for weeks that he's confident his team can win anywhere, anytime, regardless of seeding.
The Wolves were at less than full strength in the playoffs a year ago but still gave the Nuggets the hardest time of any opponent on Denver's journey to the title. And regardless of what seed Minnesota ends up with, Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is set to return to action as soon as this weekend.
So, despite this disappointment in Denver, the Timberwolves are swaggering into the playoffs instead of staggering in as they did a year ago.
“It’d be a lot easier because he’s going to get 25 points every night,” Edwards said. “He walks in the gym with 25 points.”
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Nuggets: Visit the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.
---
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 |  | Rudy Gobert vs. Nikola Jokic (Anthony Edwards gains possession) | ||
| 11:35 |  | Naz Reid misses two point driving floating bank jump shot | ||
| 11:33 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 11:23 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 11:21 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 11:08 | | +2 | Mike Conley makes two point driving layup | 2-0 |
| 10:53 | | +3 | Jamal Murray makes three point jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 2-3 |
| 10:38 | | Rudy Gobert turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 10:21 | | Nikola Jokic misses two point driving hook shot | ||
| 10:19 | | Naz Reid defensive rebound | ||
| 10:09 | | Anthony Edwards misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 10:08 | | Aaron Gordon defensive rebound | ||
| 10:04 | | +3 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes three point running jump shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 2-6 |
| 9:39 | | +3 | Jaden McDaniels makes three point jump shot (Naz Reid assists) | 5-6 |
| 9:18 | | Nikola Jokic turnover (lost ball) (Naz Reid steals) | ||
| 9:15 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point running dunk (Jaden McDaniels assists) | 7-6 |
| 8:55 | | Jaden McDaniels personal foul (Jamal Murray draws the foul) | ||
| 8:48 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point turnaround hook shot | 7-8 |
| 8:36 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope personal foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 8:28 | | Naz Reid misses three point jump shot | ||
| 8:25 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope defensive rebound | ||
| 8:19 | | Naz Reid blocks Jamal Murray's two point running layup | ||
| 8:16 | | Mike Conley defensive rebound | ||
| 8:05 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope blocks Naz Reid's two point driving hook shot | ||
| 8:03 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope defensive rebound | ||
| 8:00 | | +3 | Michael Porter Jr. makes three point running jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 7-11 |
| 7:37 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point floating jump shot | 9-11 |
| 7:24 | | Jamal Murray turnover (bad pass) (Rudy Gobert steals) | ||
| 7:18 | | Anthony Edwards misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:14 | | Michael Porter Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 7:01 | | +2 | Michael Porter Jr. makes two point fadeaway jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 9-13 |
| 6:38 | | +3 | Mike Conley makes three point jump shot (Anthony Edwards assists) | 12-13 |
| 6:21 | | Aaron Gordon misses three point jump shot | ||
| 6:18 | | Jaden McDaniels defensive rebound | ||
| 6:06 | | Anthony Edwards misses two point driving layup | ||
| 6:04 | | Jamal Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 5:58 | | Jamal Murray misses two point running layup | ||
| 5:57 | | Aaron Gordon offensive rebound | ||
| 5:55 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:51 | | Naz Reid defensive rebound | ||
| 5:41 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point layup (Mike Conley assists) | 14-13 |
| 5:31 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point layup (Aaron Gordon assists) | 14-15 |
| 5:31 | | Naz Reid shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 5:31 | | Nuggets 60 second timeout | ||
| 5:31 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 5:28 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 5:16 | | Rudy Gobert misses two point floating jump shot | ||
| 5:14 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 5:02 | | +3 | Nikola Jokic makes three point jump shot | 14-18 |
| 4:44 | | +3 | Monte Morris makes three point pullup jump shot (Anthony Edwards assists) | 17-18 |
| 4:17 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:14 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 3:58 | | Kyle Anderson misses two point turnaround hook shot | ||
| 3:54 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 3:33 | | Christian Braun misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 3:32 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 3:17 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point driving finger roll layup | 19-18 |
| 3:03 | | Reggie Jackson misses two point driving layup | ||
| 3:02 | | Nikola Jokic offensive rebound | ||
| 3:02 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point putback layup | 19-20 |
| 2:41 | | Kyle Anderson misses two point driving floating bank jump shot | ||
| 2:39 | | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | ||
| 2:36 | | Rudy Gobert turnover (bad pass) (Nikola Jokic steals) | ||
| 2:32 | | +2 | Michael Porter Jr. makes two point running pullup jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 19-22 |
| 2:30 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:16 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point driving layup (Nickeil Alexander-Walker assists) | 21-22 |
| 2:02 | | +2 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes two point driving finger roll layup (Nikola Jokic assists) | 21-24 |
| 1:41 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point driving floating jump shot (Kyle Anderson assists) | 23-24 |
| 1:28 | | Reggie Jackson turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 1:18 | | Peyton Watson blocks Nickeil Alexander-Walker's two point driving layup | ||
| 1:16 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 1:11 | | Kyle Anderson blocks Peyton Watson's two point running layup | ||
| 1:09 | | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | ||
| 1:03 | | +3 | Monte Morris makes three point jump shot (Kyle Anderson assists) | 26-24 |
| 0:44 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point turnaround bank jump shot (Peyton Watson assists) | 26-26 |
| 0:44 | | Monte Morris shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 0:44 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 0:42 | | Naz Reid defensive rebound | ||
| 0:30 | | +2 | Kyle Anderson makes two point floating jump shot (Anthony Edwards assists) | 28-26 |
| 0:19 | | Christian Braun misses two point hook shot | ||
| 0:18 | | Christian Braun offensive rebound | ||
| 0:08 | | Reggie Jackson misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:04 | | Naz Reid defensive rebound | ||
| 0:01 | | Christian Braun personal foul (Take) (Anthony Edwards draws the foul) | ||
| 0:00 | | Peyton Watson blocks Naz Reid's three point turnaround jump shot | ||
| 0:00 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:43 | | Reggie Jackson misses two point driving finger roll layup | ||
| 11:41 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 11:35 | | Reggie Jackson personal foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 11:18 | | Peyton Watson blocks Kyle Anderson's two point dunk | ||
| 11:15 | | Christian Braun defensive rebound | ||
| 11:01 | | Aaron Gordon turnover (bad pass) (Nickeil Alexander-Walker steals) | ||
| 10:47 | | Nickeil Alexander-Walker turnover (lost ball) (Justin Holiday steals) | ||
| 10:39 | | +3 | Justin Holiday makes three point jump shot (Reggie Jackson assists) | 28-29 |
| 10:21 | | Mike Conley turnover (bad pass) (Aaron Gordon steals) | ||
| 10:16 | | Christian Braun misses three point running jump shot | ||
| 10:13 | | Timberwolves defensive rebound | ||
| 10:01 | | Justin Holiday personal foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 9:50 | | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | ||
| 9:48 | | Nuggets defensive rebound | ||
| 9:37 | | Reggie Jackson misses two point driving layup | ||
| 9:35 | | Kyle Anderson defensive rebound | ||
| 9:31 | | Peyton Watson shooting foul (Kyle Anderson draws the foul) | ||
| 9:31 | | +1 | Kyle Anderson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 29-29 |
| 9:31 | | +1 | Kyle Anderson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 30-29 |
| 9:19 | | +2 | Reggie Jackson makes two point pullup jump shot | 30-31 |
| 9:06 | | Nickeil Alexander-Walker turnover (bad pass) (Christian Braun steals) | ||
| 9:02 | | +2 | Christian Braun makes two point running finger roll layup | 30-33 |
| 8:42 | | Naz Reid misses two point turnaround bank jump shot | ||
| 8:39 | | Aaron Gordon defensive rebound | ||
| 8:35 | | Aaron Gordon turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 8:16 | | Naz Reid misses two point turnaround bank hook shot | ||
| 8:14 | | Nickeil Alexander-Walker offensive rebound | ||
| 8:04 | | +2 | Jaden McDaniels makes two point driving floating jump shot (Nickeil Alexander-Walker assists) | 32-33 |
| 7:45 | | Naz Reid personal foul (Aaron Gordon draws the foul) | ||
| 7:34 | | Reggie Jackson misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 7:29 | | Mike Conley defensive rebound | ||
| 7:29 | | Reggie Jackson personal foul (Mike Conley draws the foul) | ||
| 7:23 | | Peyton Watson blocks Naz Reid's two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 7:20 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 7:19 | | Nikola Jokic turnover (bad pass) (Mike Conley steals) | ||
| 7:06 | | Jaden McDaniels misses two point fadeaway jump shot | ||
| 7:04 | | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | ||
| 7:03 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point putback layup | 34-33 |
| 6:39 | | Jamal Murray turnover (bad pass) (Naz Reid steals) | ||
| 6:30 | | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | ||
| 6:27 | | Michael Porter Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 6:19 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 6:16 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 6:05 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point driving floating jump shot | 36-33 |
| 6:05 | | Nuggets 60 second timeout | ||
| 5:49 | | Michael Porter Jr. turnover (back court violation) | ||
| 5:28 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | 38-33 |
| 5:08 | | Jamal Murray turnover (lost ball) (Jaden McDaniels steals) | ||
| 5:04 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point running dunk (Jaden McDaniels assists) | 40-33 |
| 4:52 | | Rudy Gobert personal foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 4:43 | | +3 | Jamal Murray makes three point jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 40-36 |
| 4:15 | | Monte Morris misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:12 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 4:05 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point turnaround hook shot | 40-38 |
| 3:44 | | +2 | Jaden McDaniels makes two point driving finger roll layup | 42-38 |
| 3:17 | | Rudy Gobert blocks Nikola Jokic's two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 3:15 | | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | ||
| 3:11 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point running dunk (Jaden McDaniels assists) | 44-38 |
| 3:06 | | Naz Reid personal foul (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope draws the foul) | ||
| 2:53 | | +2 | Jamal Murray makes two point driving finger roll layup | 44-40 |
| 2:43 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:29 | | Anthony Edwards misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 2:27 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 2:27 | | Timberwolves turnover (shot clock violation) | ||
| 2:15 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 44-42 |
| 1:49 | | Anthony Edwards turnover (bad pass) (Nikola Jokic steals) | ||
| 1:44 | | +3 | Jamal Murray makes three point running jump shot (Michael Porter Jr. assists) | 44-45 |
| 1:30 | | +2 | Mike Conley makes two point driving layup | 46-45 |
| 1:16 | | Aaron Gordon misses three point jump shot | ||
| 1:12 | | Michael Porter Jr. offensive rebound | ||
| 1:12 | | Kyle Anderson blocks Michael Porter Jr.'s two point putback layup | ||
| 1:12 | | Jaden McDaniels defensive rebound | ||
| 1:06 | | +3 | Mike Conley makes three point running jump shot (Anthony Edwards assists) | 49-45 |
| 0:51 | | Jamal Murray misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 0:49 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope offensive rebound | ||
| 0:49 | | +2 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes two point tip layup | 49-47 |
| 0:31 | | Kyle Anderson misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:29 | | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | ||
| 0:29 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point tip layup | 51-47 |
| 0:29 | | Nikola Jokic shooting foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 0:29 | | +1 | Rudy Gobert makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 52-47 |
| 0:17 | | Kyle Anderson shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 0:17 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 52-48 |
| 0:17 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 52-49 |
| 0:00 | | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:00 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:47 | | Nikola Jokic misses two point jump shot | ||
| 11:44 | | Jamal Murray offensive rebound | ||
| 11:41 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses three point jump shot | ||
| 11:37 | | Nikola Jokic offensive rebound | ||
| 11:33 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses three point jump shot | ||
| 11:28 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 11:25 | | +2 | Jamal Murray makes two point driving floating jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 52-51 |
| 11:11 | | +3 | Anthony Edwards makes three point jump shot (Rudy Gobert assists) | 55-51 |
| 10:50 | | +2 | Jamal Murray makes two point stepback jump shot | 55-53 |
| 10:24 | | +3 | Anthony Edwards makes three point stepback jump shot | 58-53 |
| 10:10 | | +3 | Jamal Murray makes three point pullup jump shot | 58-56 |
| 9:56 | | Naz Reid misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 9:52 | | Aaron Gordon defensive rebound | ||
| 9:37 | | +2 | Aaron Gordon makes two point alley-oop dunk (Nikola Jokic assists) | 58-58 |
| 9:17 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shooting foul (Anthony Edwards draws the foul) | ||
| 9:17 | | +1 | Anthony Edwards makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 59-58 |
| 9:17 | | +1 | Anthony Edwards makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 60-58 |
| 9:01 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope misses two point driving layup | ||
| 9:00 | | Naz Reid defensive rebound | ||
| 8:55 | | +3 | Mike Conley makes three point running pullup jump shot | 63-58 |
| 8:39 | | Jamal Murray misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 8:37 | | Mike Conley defensive rebound | ||
| 8:31 | | Nikola Jokic shooting foul (Anthony Edwards draws the foul) | ||
| 8:31 | | +1 | Anthony Edwards makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 64-58 |
| 8:31 | | Anthony Edwards misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 8:29 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 8:07 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope misses three point fadeaway jump shot | ||
| 8:07 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 8:07 | | Nuggets turnover (shot clock violation) | ||
| 7:53 | | Mike Conley turnover (bad pass) (Nikola Jokic steals) | ||
| 7:49 | | +2 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope makes two point running layup (Aaron Gordon assists) | 64-60 |
| 7:44 | | Anthony Edwards misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 7:44 | | Michael Porter Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 7:24 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point floating jump shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 64-62 |
| 6:57 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point driving layup (Mike Conley assists) | 66-62 |
| 6:41 | | +3 | Michael Porter Jr. makes three point jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 66-65 |
| 6:21 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point driving layup (Rudy Gobert assists) | 68-65 |
| 6:04 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses two point driving layup | ||
| 6:03 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 5:53 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point driving finger roll layup | 70-65 |
| 5:53 | | Michael Porter Jr. shooting foul (Naz Reid draws the foul) | ||
| 5:53 | | Nuggets 60 second timeout | ||
| 5:53 | | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 5:51 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 5:38 | | Monte Morris blocks Aaron Gordon's two point layup | ||
| 5:38 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 5:32 | | +2 | Michael Porter Jr. makes two point cutting dunk (Aaron Gordon assists) | 70-67 |
| 5:14 | | Naz Reid misses two point driving layup | ||
| 5:13 | | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | ||
| 5:13 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point putback layup | 72-67 |
| 4:50 | | +3 | Nikola Jokic makes three point jump shot (Aaron Gordon assists) | 72-70 |
| 4:24 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shooting foul (Naz Reid draws the foul) | ||
| 4:24 | | +1 | Naz Reid makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 73-70 |
| 4:24 | | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 4:22 | | Reggie Jackson defensive rebound | ||
| 4:08 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 4:07 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 4:07 | | Kyle Anderson personal foul (Loose ball) (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 4:01 | | Kyle Anderson personal foul (Michael Porter Jr. draws the foul) | ||
| 3:52 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point floating jump shot (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope assists) | 73-72 |
| 3:52 | | Kyle Anderson shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 3:52 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 3:50 | | Monte Morris defensive rebound | ||
| 3:31 | | +3 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes three point jump shot (Monte Morris assists) | 76-72 |
| 3:18 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point driving layup | 76-74 |
| 3:02 | | +2 | Anthony Edwards makes two point pullup jump shot | 78-74 |
| 3:02 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shooting foul (Anthony Edwards draws the foul) | ||
| 3:02 | | Nuggets delay of game violation | ||
| 3:02 | | +1 | Anthony Edwards makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 79-74 |
| 2:46 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point driving layup | 79-76 |
| 2:46 | | Rudy Gobert shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 2:46 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:46 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 79-77 |
| 2:35 | | Peyton Watson personal foul (Anthony Edwards draws the foul) | ||
| 2:35 | | Anthony Edwards misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 2:35 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 2:35 | | +1 | Anthony Edwards makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 80-77 |
| 2:12 | | Nikola Jokic misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | ||
| 2:11 | | Peyton Watson offensive rebound | ||
| 2:10 | | +3 | Reggie Jackson makes three point jump shot (Peyton Watson assists) | 80-80 |
| 1:56 | | Monte Morris misses two point pullup jump shot | ||
| 1:55 | | Nikola Jokic defensive rebound | ||
| 1:38 | | Rudy Gobert shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 1:38 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 1:38 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 1:38 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 80-81 |
| 1:16 | | Anthony Edwards misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 1:14 | | Justin Holiday defensive rebound | ||
| 1:07 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point driving layup (Peyton Watson assists) | 80-83 |
| 0:54 | | Nikola Jokic personal foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 0:54 | | Rudy Gobert misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 0:54 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 0:54 | | Rudy Gobert misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 0:52 | | Reggie Jackson defensive rebound | ||
| 0:32 | | Reggie Jackson misses two point driving layup | ||
| 0:31 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 0:24 | | Jaden McDaniels misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:21 | | Christian Braun defensive rebound | ||
| 0:01 | | Reggie Jackson turnover (bad pass) (Rudy Gobert steals) | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:53 | | Michael Porter Jr. shooting foul (Naz Reid draws the foul) | ||
| 11:53 | | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 11:53 | | Timberwolves offensive rebound | ||
| 11:53 | | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 11:51 | | Michael Porter Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 11:40 | | Aaron Gordon misses two point jump shot | ||
| 11:36 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 11:14 | | Mike Conley misses two point stepback jump shot | ||
| 11:13 | | Rudy Gobert offensive rebound | ||
| 11:13 | | +2 | Rudy Gobert makes two point putback layup | 82-83 |
| 10:53 | | Christian Braun turnover (lost ball) (Jordan McLaughlin steals) | ||
| 10:33 | | Mike Conley turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | ||
| 10:22 | | Reggie Jackson offensive foul (Nickeil Alexander-Walker draws the foul) | ||
| 10:22 | | Reggie Jackson turnover (offensive foul) | ||
| 10:08 | | Naz Reid misses three point jump shot | ||
| 10:05 | | Aaron Gordon defensive rebound | ||
| 9:54 | | Naz Reid shooting foul (Aaron Gordon draws the foul) | ||
| 9:54 | | Aaron Gordon misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 9:54 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 9:54 | | +1 | Aaron Gordon makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 82-84 |
| 9:38 | | +2 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes two point driving reverse layup (Jordan McLaughlin assists) | 84-84 |
| 9:23 | | +2 | Reggie Jackson makes two point driving layup | 84-86 |
| 9:09 | | Peyton Watson blocks Naz Reid's two point driving layup | ||
| 9:06 | | Mike Conley offensive rebound | ||
| 9:05 | | Christian Braun blocks Nickeil Alexander-Walker's two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 9:03 | | Christian Braun defensive rebound | ||
| 8:46 | | Aaron Gordon misses two point driving layup | ||
| 8:46 | | Michael Porter Jr. offensive rebound | ||
| 8:46 | | +2 | Michael Porter Jr. makes two point tip layup | 84-88 |
| 8:46 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 8:29 | | +3 | Mike Conley makes three point pullup jump shot (Naz Reid assists) | 87-88 |
| 8:08 | | +2 | Aaron Gordon makes two point cutting dunk (Peyton Watson assists) | 87-90 |
| 7:39 | | Naz Reid misses two point turnaround hook shot | ||
| 7:37 | | Christian Braun defensive rebound | ||
| 7:31 | | Nickeil Alexander-Walker shooting foul (Peyton Watson draws the foul) | ||
| 7:31 | | +1 | Peyton Watson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 87-91 |
| 7:31 | | Peyton Watson misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 7:29 | | Jamal Murray offensive rebound | ||
| 7:21 | | Jamal Murray misses two point driving floating jump shot | ||
| 7:20 | | Timberwolves defensive rebound | ||
| 7:20 | | Nikola Jokic personal foul (Loose ball) (Naz Reid draws the foul) | ||
| 7:07 | | Jaden McDaniels misses three point jump shot | ||
| 7:05 | | Peyton Watson defensive rebound | ||
| 6:59 | | Rudy Gobert personal foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 6:46 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point jump shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 87-93 |
| 6:27 | | Anthony Edwards misses three point pullup jump shot | ||
| 6:25 | | Peyton Watson defensive rebound | ||
| 6:09 | | +2 | Michael Porter Jr. makes two point fadeaway jump shot (Nikola Jokic assists) | 87-95 |
| 6:07 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 5:48 | | Jaden McDaniels misses three point jump shot | ||
| 5:45 | | Peyton Watson defensive rebound | ||
| 5:35 | | +2 | Jamal Murray makes two point driving floating jump shot | 87-97 |
| 5:15 | | +3 | Mike Conley makes three point pullup jump shot | 90-97 |
| 4:49 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point bank hook shot (Jamal Murray assists) | 90-99 |
| 4:29 | | +2 | Jaden McDaniels makes two point cutting dunk (Rudy Gobert assists) | 92-99 |
| 4:03 | | +2 | Christian Braun makes two point cutting dunk (Nikola Jokic assists) | 92-101 |
| 4:03 | | Rudy Gobert shooting foul (Christian Braun draws the foul) | ||
| 4:03 | | Christian Braun misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 4:03 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 4:03 | | Nuggets 60 second timeout | ||
| 3:59 | | Jaden McDaniels shooting foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 3:59 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 92-102 |
| 3:59 | | Nikola Jokic misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 3:57 | | Rudy Gobert defensive rebound | ||
| 3:48 | | Anthony Edwards misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 3:47 | | Nuggets defensive rebound | ||
| 3:47 | | Jump ball. Michael Porter Jr. vs. Anthony Edwards (Nuggets gains possession) | ||
| 3:47 | | Anthony Edwards personal foul (Loose ball) (Michael Porter Jr. draws the foul) | ||
| 3:47 | | +1 | Michael Porter Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 92-103 |
| 3:47 | | +1 | Michael Porter Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 92-104 |
| 3:37 | | Mike Conley misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:34 | | Naz Reid offensive rebound | ||
| 3:33 | | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point putback layup | 94-104 |
| 3:21 | | +2 | Christian Braun makes two point driving dunk (Jamal Murray assists) | 94-106 |
| 3:06 | | Anthony Edwards misses two point driving reverse layup | ||
| 3:04 | | Michael Porter Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 3:00 | | +2 | Christian Braun makes two point running alley-oop dunk (Michael Porter Jr. assists) | 94-108 |
| 3:00 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:56 | | Jamal Murray personal foul (Nickeil Alexander-Walker draws the foul) | ||
| 2:55 | | Nikola Jokic personal foul (Rudy Gobert draws the foul) | ||
| 2:49 | | Peyton Watson blocks Naz Reid's three point jump shot | ||
| 2:47 | | Jamal Murray defensive rebound | ||
| 2:45 | | +2 | Peyton Watson makes two point running dunk (Jamal Murray assists) | 94-110 |
| 2:44 | | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | ||
| 2:23 | | +2 | Leonard Miller makes two point turnaround jump shot | 96-110 |
| 1:59 | | Jamal Murray turnover (bad pass) (Luka Garza steals) | ||
| 1:57 | | +2 | Josh Minott makes two point running dunk (Daishen Nix assists) | 98-110 |
| 1:42 | | Luka Garza personal foul (Nikola Jokic draws the foul) | ||
| 1:42 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 98-111 |
| 1:42 | | +1 | Nikola Jokic makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 98-112 |
| 1:40 | | Reggie Jackson personal foul (Daishen Nix draws the foul) | ||
| 1:40 | | +1 | Daishen Nix makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 99-112 |
| 1:40 | | +1 | Daishen Nix makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 100-112 |
| 1:20 | | +2 | Nikola Jokic makes two point driving layup (Christian Braun assists) | 100-114 |
| 1:05 | | +3 | Josh Minott makes three point jump shot (Wendell Moore Jr. assists) | 103-114 |
| 0:51 | | Zeke Nnaji misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:47 | | Michael Porter Jr. offensive rebound | ||
| 0:47 | | Michael Porter Jr. misses two point putback layup | ||
| 0:45 | | Leonard Miller defensive rebound | ||
| 0:38 | | +3 | Daishen Nix makes three point jump shot (Leonard Miller assists) | 106-114 |
| 0:33 | | Daishen Nix personal foul (Reggie Jackson draws the foul) | ||
| 0:33 | | +1 | Reggie Jackson makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 106-115 |
| 0:33 | | +1 | Reggie Jackson makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 106-116 |
| 0:28 | | Wendell Moore Jr. misses three point stepback jump shot | ||
| 0:25 | | Daishen Nix offensive rebound | ||
| 0:21 | | Daishen Nix turnover (bad pass) (Hunter Tyson steals) | ||
| 0:17 | | Leonard Miller personal foul (Take) (Julian Strawther draws the foul) | ||
| 0:17 | | Julian Strawther misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 0:17 | | Nuggets offensive rebound | ||
| 0:17 | | Julian Strawther misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 0:15 | | Leonard Miller defensive rebound | ||
| 0:09 | | Jay Huff shooting foul (Leonard Miller draws the foul) | ||
| 0:09 | | +1 | Leonard Miller makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 107-116 |
| 0:09 | | Leonard Miller misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 0:07 | | Zeke Nnaji defensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | End of period |
Key Players
| Min. Per Game | ||
| Pts. Per Game | ||
| Ast. Per Game | ||
| Reb. Per Game | ||
| Field Goal % | ||
| Three Point % | ||
| Free Throw % |
|
Zeke Nnaji defensive rebound | 0:07 |
|
Leonard Miller misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | 0:09 |
| |
+ 1 | Leonard Miller makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 0:09 |
|
Jay Huff shooting foul (Leonard Miller draws the foul) | 0:09 |
|
Leonard Miller defensive rebound | 0:15 |
|
Julian Strawther misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | 0:17 |
|
Nuggets offensive rebound | 0:17 |
|
Julian Strawther misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | 0:17 |
|
Leonard Miller personal foul (Take) (Julian Strawther draws the foul) | 0:17 |
|
Daishen Nix turnover (bad pass) (Hunter Tyson steals) | 0:21 |
|
Daishen Nix offensive rebound | 0:25 |
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points | 107 | 116 |
| Field Goals | 41-82 (50.0%) | 46-83 (55.4%) |
| 3-Pointers | 13-30 (43.3%) | 11-25 (44.0%) |
| Free Throws | 12-21 (57.1%) | 13-23 (56.5%) |
| Total Rebounds | 43 | 54 |
| Offensive | 9 | 11 |
| Defensive | 26 | 33 |
| Team | 8 | 10 |
| Assists | 23 | 31 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 13 |
| Fouls | 21 | 21 |
| Technicals | 0 | 0 |
Video Carousel
|
| Team Stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
113.0 PPG | 43.6 RPG | 26.6 APG |
|
|
114.9 PPG | 44.4 RPG | 29.5 APG |
| Key Players | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A. Edwards SG | 25.9 PPG | 5.4 RPG | 5.1 APG | 46.1 FG% |
|
N. Jokic C | 26.4 PPG | 12.4 RPG | 9.0 APG | 58.3 FG% |
| Top Scorers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
A. Edwards SG | 25 PTS | 2 REB | 4 AST | |
|
|
N. Jokic C | 41 PTS | 11 REB | 7 AST | |
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| A. Edwards | 25 | 2 | 4 | 9/18 | 2/6 | 5/7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -16 | 34 |
| M. Conley | 19 | 4 | 2 | 7/12 | 5/9 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | -10 | 25 |
| R. Gobert | 13 | 15 | 3 | 6/7 | 0/0 | 1/3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -17 | 35 |
| N. Reid | 13 | 6 | 2 | 6/19 | 0/4 | 1/5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +3 | 26 |
| J. McDaniels | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4/8 | 1/4 | 0/0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -17 | 18 |
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| A. Edwards | 25 | 2 | 4 | 9/18 | 2/6 | 5/7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -16 | 34 |
| M. Conley | 19 | 4 | 2 | 7/12 | 5/9 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | -10 | 25 |
| R. Gobert | 13 | 15 | 3 | 6/7 | 0/0 | 1/3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -17 | 35 |
| N. Reid | 13 | 6 | 2 | 6/19 | 0/4 | 1/5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +3 | 26 |
| J. McDaniels | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4/8 | 1/4 | 0/0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -17 | 18 |
| Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| M. Morris | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2/4 | 2/2 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 10 |
| D. Nix | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 2/2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +7 | 7 |
| J. Minott | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2/2 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 5 |
| N. Alexander-Walker | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2/4 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -8 | 9 |
| K. Anderson | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1/5 | 0/1 | 2/2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -11 | 11 |
| L. Miller | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 1/2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +7 | 7 |
| J. McLaughlin | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| L. Garza | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 1 |
| W. Moore Jr. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 2 |
| T. Warren | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| K. Towns | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| J. Jackson | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| J. Clark | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 107 | 35 | 23 | 41/82 | 13/30 | 12/21 | 21 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 26 | -45 | 193 |
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| N. Jokic | 41 | 11 | 7 | 16/20 | 2/2 | 7/12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | +6 | 67 |
| J. Murray | 20 | 4 | 6 | 8/13 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +7 | 32 |
| M. Porter Jr. | 18 | 8 | 2 | 7/14 | 2/4 | 2/2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | +7 | 29 |
| K. Caldwell-Pope | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4/9 | 1/5 | 0/0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 15 |
| A. Gordon | 5 | 5 | 9 | 2/7 | 0/2 | 1/2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +9 | 27 |
| Starters | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| N. Jokic | 41 | 11 | 7 | 16/20 | 2/2 | 7/12 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | +6 | 67 |
| J. Murray | 20 | 4 | 6 | 8/13 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +7 | 32 |
| M. Porter Jr. | 18 | 8 | 2 | 7/14 | 2/4 | 2/2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | +7 | 29 |
| K. Caldwell-Pope | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4/9 | 1/5 | 0/0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 15 |
| A. Gordon | 5 | 5 | 9 | 2/7 | 0/2 | 1/2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +9 | 27 |
| Bench | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | PF | STL | BLK | TO | OREB | DREB | +/- | FPTS |
| R. Jackson | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3/9 | 1/3 | 2/2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | +3 | 10 |
| C. Braun | 8 | 5 | 1 | 4/7 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | +9 | 16 |
| J. Holiday | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +9 | 5 |
| P. Watson | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1/2 | 0/0 | 1/2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +4 | 21 |
| J. Huff | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| J. Pickett | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| H. Tyson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 |
| Z. Nnaji | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 1 |
| J. Strawther | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| D. Jordan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| B. Key | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| V. Cancar | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| C. Gillespie | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 116 | 44 | 31 | 46/83 | 11/25 | 13/23 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 33 | +45 | 224 |
