Full Breakdown
Timberwolves Eliminate Nuggets, Advance to Western Conference Semifinals
5/2/2026, 8:18:27 AM
Game 6 Overview: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
On Thursday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 110–98 in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series, clinching the series 4–2 and moving on to the Western Conference semifinals. The win came after Minnesota built a 57–50 lead in the second quarter and held on despite a late rally by Denver. The victory marked a home win for the Timberwolves and a 12-point margin.
Series Summary and Key Moments
The first-round series was marked by physical play, including Jokic’s ejection in Game 4 for instigating a scuffle. Throughout the six games, the Timberwolves built a statistical edge in the paint (64–40) and on the boards (50–33). In Game 6, a three-point play by Terrence Shannon Jr. with 1:43 remaining extended the lead, and Jaden McDaniels secured a decisive steal and a clutch jumper in the final minute. Denver’s shooting faltered, with Jokic hitting just 19.4 % from three-point range and Jamal Murray converting only 4-of-17 attempts.
Injury-Driven Context and Series Background
Minnesota entered the series with a depleted roster, missing All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, forward Ayo Dosunmu, guard Donte DiVincenzo and forward Kyle Anderson. The Timberwolves nonetheless posted a 64–40 advantage in points in the paint and a 50–33 rebounding edge. Denver, the defending champion, had taken a 116–105 victory in Game 1 but lost four of the next five contests.
Key Performers and Statistical Highlights
Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with a career-high 32 points, added 10 rebounds and recorded two steals. Terrence Shannon Jr. contributed 24 points, while Rudy Gobert posted a near triple-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists). Julius Randle added 18 points. For Denver, Nikola Jokic tallied 28 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds; Cameron Johnson scored 27 points; Jamal Murray managed only 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting. The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Nuggets 50–33 and out-scored them 64–40 in the paint. Technical fouls were assessed to Jokic, Timberwolves forward Jaylen Clark and reserve Naz Reid after a scuffle with under ten minutes remaining.
Official Statements & Responses
After the loss, Jokic said he needed to improve his play, acknowledging that his performance fell short of expectations. Minnesota’s coaching staff emphasized that the victory resulted from the team’s defensive effort, noting that the team “brought extra doses of defense and energy” to secure the win.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts highlighted Denver’s offensive struggles: Jokic shot just 19.4 % from three-point range, while Murray’s overall shooting was 35.7 % (26.2 % from three). The Nuggets were described as lacking “production or spunk” to complement Jokic’s play. The altercation that produced technical fouls also drew criticism for disrupting the game’s flow.
What’s Next
The Timberwolves, the No. 6 seed, will open the second round on Monday against the No. 2-seed San Antonio Spurs, who advanced by defeating Portland in five games.
