No dramatic comeback was needed like their Game 7 road win last playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.
Only a clutch Anthony Edwards rescued the Minnesota Timberwolves from a late-game collapse.
Edwards scored five of the Timberwolves’ last seven points en route to a pulsating 119-116 home squeaker against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
Anthony Edwards with 29 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK & THE DAGGER as the Timberwolves get the 119-116 WIN over the Nuggets 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ASWe77Q7Cf
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 2, 2024
The superstar guard finished with 29 points built on seven threes, Julius Randle added 23 markers, six boards, and seven dimes.
ANT-MAN IS COLD 🥶 pic.twitter.com/2jqEIzc73Z
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 2, 2024
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who tallied 17 points and 14 rebounds, hit two clutch free throws before a stellar defensive play on Jokic in the final play of the game to seal the win.
Rudy Gobert clutch closeout + rim protection + defensive rebound pic.twitter.com/nUjtVhYKlM
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) November 2, 2024
Earlier, Denver (2-3) wiped out Minnesota’s 12 point-lead early in the fourth period with a blistering 23-3 run, building a 110-102 lead with 5:14 seconds left.
CHRISTIAN BRAUN DETONATION😱😱😱
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2024
GET TO ESPN FOR THE FINISH! pic.twitter.com/Pe6fT12h7o
They tasted their first double–digit lead at 112-102 after Jokic hit a pair of free throws with 4:17 ticks remaining.
But Minnesota (3-2) countered with a 15-4 response, with Edwards scoring five points in that stretch--including the go-ahead floater that restored the Timberwolves’ lead, 117-116.
ANT TRIPLE... 1-POINT GAME 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2024
69 SECONDS LEFT on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/EWSBE3AAgD
ANT GIVES MINNESOTA THE LEAD 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2024
HE'S GOT 29 PTS 🔥
DENVER BALL... 25.7 SECONDS LEFT on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/JgMjmm6Yvy
It was the first time the two teams met this season since their epic Western Conference semifinal showdown last May, when Minnesota prevailed in seven games.
The Timberwolves won the first two games in Denver, dropped the next three, but took the final two to advance to their first West Final appearance since 2004. However, they lost in five games against the Dallas Mavericks.
Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon dropped a season-high 31 points in the close loss. Jokic fell a rebound shy of a triple-double behind a 26-point, 13-assist, and 9-rebound night.
Aaron Gordon with a step back off the dribble 🔥
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 2, 2024
He has 29 points and is 5-6 from deep 💦 pic.twitter.com/MYjpsrPk5M
Michael Porter Jr. also fired 26 markers for the Nuggets, who lost Jamal Murray in the third quarter and after being placed in concussion protocol after Randle’s shoulder inadvertently hitting his nose.
Here's the play where Jamal Murray was hurt, as @JonKrawczynski noted he is in concussion protocol pic.twitter.com/STXOviqorK
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 2, 2024
The Nuggets returns home to face the Utah Jazz while the Timberwolves square off with the San Antonio Spurs (2-3).
