Nikola Jokic recorded 27 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists as the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to seven games with a 123-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday at Target Center.
Tim Hardaway Jr., Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each added 23 points for Denver, with Gordon also grabbing 10 rebounds and Murray dishing out 12 assists. The Nuggets overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to take control in the second half.
Minnesota relied on Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, who scored 26 points apiece, but the Timberwolves could not sustain their early lead. The home team fell behind in the third quarter, where Denver outscored them 32-26 to swing momentum.
The Nuggets were without starting forwards Christian Braun and Cam Johnson due to injuries, yet their depth and Jokic’s versatility compensated for the absences. Denver’s bench contributions and ball movement allowed them to maintain a consistent offensive flow throughout the game.
Denver’s 45-point third quarter in their previous Minneapolis matchup proved pivotal again, as the team relied on quick ball movement and spacing to exploit Minnesota’s defensive gaps. Hardaway Jr. shot 6-of-8 from the field, and Murray added efficient playmaking to sustain the run.
The Timberwolves, missing Jaylen Clark and other rotation players, struggled to match the Nuggets’ pace and ball circulation. Edwards and Randle combined for 52 points, but the team could not generate enough secondary scoring to close the gap.
With the win, Denver improves to 10-2 and remains atop the Northwest Division, while Minnesota drops to 8-5, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Nuggets will host the Chicago Bulls on Monday, and the Timberwolves return home to face Dallas on the same night.
