The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 126-116 in their preseason matchup at Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Saturday. Minnesota built a 40-28 first-quarter lead behind Jaden McDaniels’ nine points on perfect shooting.
The Timberwolves maintained control after halftime, extending to 96-80 by the third quarter’s end with Bones Hyland’s three triples. Denver mounted a 36-point fourth quarter, but Minnesota closed strong on Johnny Juzang’s 16 points off the bench.
Hyland led all scorers with 18 points in 22 minutes, including five from deep. Joan Beringer added 14 points and eight rebounds, converting four offensive boards into second-chance opportunities.
Aaron Gordon paced Denver with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting, while Nikola Jokic contributed 14 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes. Jamal Murray tallied 12 points and five assists before resting early.
Minnesota shot 51.1% from the field and 50% from three, sinking 15 of 30 attempts. The Timberwolves forced 15 turnovers from the Nuggets, converting them into 20 points.
Denver connected on 54.7% overall but struggled with just 39.3% from beyond the arc on 11-of-28. The Nuggets scored 48 points in the paint, matching Minnesota’s interior output at 50.
One lead change occurred early when Jokic’s free throws trimmed a deficit, but no ties followed. Jalen Pickett added 13 points and four assists for Denver in the fourth-quarter push.
Enrique Freeman scored nine points for Minnesota, including a late three that pushed the margin to 13. Hunter Tyson chipped in nine for the Nuggets, hitting all three attempts from deep.
The Timberwolves grabbed 41 rebounds, with 13 offensive ones fueling 19 points off big leads. Denver pulled down 37 boards but committed 15 turnovers total.
Rudy Gobert recorded six points, three assists, and two steals in 12 minutes for Minnesota. Peyton Watson added 10 points for Denver, including two dunks in transition.
