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Timberwolves Beat Nuggets 4-2, Advance to Spurs

5/2/2026

Summary

Timberwolves Eliminate Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated Denver Nuggets, winning the series 4-2.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) posted 28 points and 10 assists in Game 6, receiving a technical after scuffle with guard Jaylen Clark (Minnesota Timberwolves) and giving Naz Reid a technical and saying he must play better and wants to stay a Nugget.
Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves) scored 32 points, sending team to face San Antonio Spurs on May 4.
Anthony Edwards expected for the Spurs opener.

Summary

Timberwolves Advance

Wolves won a playoff game despite missing three players who had averaged double-digit points in the series.
Minnesota used a big frontcourt of Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert, with Gobert posting a near triple-double (10-13-8) that held Nikola Jokic to 19.4 % from three.
Gobert will face Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama in the Western semifinal, a matchup he feels he was snubbed for.

Summary

Timberwolves Prevail

The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched the playoff series despite missing Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu because of injuries.
Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. supplied a combined 56 points, providing the scoring depth that carried the team.
The victory represented a rare playoff success for a Minnesota lineup that entered the game without any of its designated star players, underscoring the roster’s ability to perform under adversity.

History

Historical Context

In 2002 Detroit reshaped its roster, signing Chauncey Billups, trading for Richard Hamilton and drafting Tayshaun Prince; Larry Brown replaced Rick Carlisle in 2003 and added Rasheed Wallace in February 2004. The revamped, defense-first squad posted a 54-28 record and defeated the star-laden Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the 2004 NBA Finals, illustrating a shift toward depth over marquee talent.

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Timberwolves Eliminate Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated Denver Nuggets, winning the series 4-2.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) posted 28 points and 10 assists in Game 6, receiving a technical after scuffle with guard Jaylen Clark (Minnesota Timberwolves) and giving Naz Reid a technical and saying he must play better and wants to stay a Nugget.
Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves) scored 32 points, sending team to face San Antonio Spurs on May 4.
Anthony Edwards expected for the Spurs opener.

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