Full Breakdown
Nuggets on the Brink: Game 4 Collapse and Coach Adelman's Controversial Narrative
4/26/2026, 12:47:33 PM
Game 4 Collapse and Series Status
The Denver Nuggets fell 112–96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, dropping the series to a 3-1 deficit in the first-round playoffs. Minnesota’s bench poured in 76 points while Denver’s bench managed only 16. Ayo Dosunmu scored 43 points off the bench, and the Timberwolves built a 30-point fourth-quarter lead despite missing Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo for the half. The loss left Denver one game from elimination.
Coaching Perspectives & Official Statements
Head coach David Adelman dominated the post-game press conference, framing the defeat as a shooting issue and dismissing criticism of effort. He reiterated trust in “our two best players” – Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray – to “find a rhythm” in Game 5. Jokic later admitted, “I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the three.” Adelman also called Jaden McDaniels’ late-game basket “unacceptable.”
Statistical Snapshot
Denver shot 18.8% in the fourth quarter and finished under 40%. Jokic went 0-6 in the fourth, ending with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists before an ejection. Murray added 30 points. Minnesota out-rebounded Denver 50-38, collected 16 offensive boards and scored 54 points. The Nuggets turned over nine times in the second half while Timberwolves erased a 30-point deficit to win by 16.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts pointed to lapses and a lack of adjustments. Minnesota out-rebounded Denver by 12 and outscored the bench 76-16, exposing a depth gap. Critics said Adelman's focus on shooting ignored turnovers, rebounding and the Timberwolves’ paint attacks. His remarks that late-game baskets were “meaningless” and that the narrative “doesn’t matter” were seen as deflective after a 16-point loss despite a four-point halftime lead.
On-the-Ground Reports
Bench contributions defined the game. Ayo Dosunmu’s 43-point, perfect-from-the-line performance powered Minnesota, while Denver’s bench managed only 16 points. In the final seconds, Jaden McDaniels added a contested basket, a play Adelman called “unacceptable” despite the Timberwolves already leading by double digits.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Adelman called two late-game baskets “meaningless,” yet they contributed to the 112-96 final. He also claimed “only one turnover in the first half,” while box scores show ten second-half turnovers. Both sources confirm Denver trails 3-1.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You don’t think we were competitive tonight?” — David Adelman, Denver Nuggets head coach
- “The competitive spirit question bothers me, because I thought we were extremely competitive…. I thought our guys played their asses off.” — David Adelman, Denver Nuggets head coach
- “I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the three,” — Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets center
- “You know, obviously I didn’t like what McDaniels did.” — David Adelman, Denver Nuggets head coach
What’s Next
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at 10:30 p.m. ET in Denver. The Nuggets must win to stay alive.
